Observing Microtubules' Vibrational Properties in Micrometer Channels

Taxol is a chemotherapy drug that discourages the spread of cancer by inhibiting microtubule (MT) catastrophe, forcing cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. Repeated use of Taxol, however, often yields Taxol-resistant cancer cells. It is possible that these cells have modified vibrational properties and edge modes that are interfering with Taxol's inhibition of MT catastrophe. The purpose of this research project is to flow MTs through progressively smaller channels (5.3 mm-\textasciitilde 270 $\mu $m) and lay the foundation for the isolation of an MT in a nanochannel -- which will allow for more controlled MT excitation and better observation of vibrational properties.