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Microbial mechanics: The growth and form of filamentary microorganisms

  • Michael Tabor

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    Abstract

    This chapter reviews the basic principles of hyphal growth in filamentary bacteria and fungi. While geometric models can provide a simple route to finding idealized hyphal tip shapes, biomechanical models provide a realistic continuum description that can include information about the cell wall structure and the growth process itself. The use of the nonlinear elastic theory of shells combined with biomechanical growth mechanisms produce realistic hyphal shapes and reveal a self-similar pattern of tip propagation as well as a possible explanation of the so called normal growth hypothesis.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Title of host publicationNew Trends in the Physics and Mechanics of Biological Systems
    Subtitle of host publicationLecture Notes of the Les Houches Summer School: July 2009
    PublisherOxford University Press
    Volume92
    ISBN (Electronic)9780191729522
    ISBN (Print)9780199605835
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Sep 22 2011

    Keywords

    • Biomechanics
    • Geometric models
    • Hyphal growth
    • Nonlinear elasticity
    • Tip growth

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Physics and Astronomy

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