doiSerbia

Microtubules: A network for solitary waves

Zdravković Slobodan (Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Laboratory of Atomic Physics, Belgrade)

In the present paper we deal with nonlinear dynamics of microtubules. The structure and role of microtubules in cells are explained as well as one of models explaining their dynamics. Solutions of the crucial nonlinear differential equation depend on used mathematical methods. Two commonly used procedures, continuum and semi-discrete approximations, are explained. These solutions are solitary waves usually called as kink solitons, breathers and bell-type solitons.

Keywords: molecular motors, non-linear dynamics, solitons, non-linear differential equations

Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III45010