Dynamics of the primary cilium in shear flow

Y. N. Young, M. Downs, C. R. Jacobs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this work, the equilibrium shape and dynamics of a primary cilium under flow are investigated by using both theoretical modeling and experiment. The cilium is modeled as an elastic beam that may undergo large deflection due to the hydrodynamic load. Equilibrium results show that the anchoring effects of the basal body on the cilium axoneme behave as a nonlinear rotational spring. Details of the rotational spring are elucidated by coupling the elastic beam with an elastic shell. We further study the dynamics of cilium under shear flow with the cilium base angle determined from the nonlinear rotational spring, and obtain good agreement in cilium bending and relaxing dynamics when comparing between modeling and experimental results. These results potentially shed light on the physics underlying the mechanosensitive ion channel transport through the ciliary membrane.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)629-639
Number of pages11
JournalBiophysical Journal
Volume103
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 22 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics

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