Abstract
Cytoskeletal mechanics is a field that heavily relies on mathematical models to interpret experimental data related to forces and deformations. In this paper, we present a novel mathematical model designed specifically for analysing the mechanical properties of liposomes, which serve as model systems for studying biological membranes. Our model takes into account various factors such as stretching, bending, and contact adhesion during atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation using a spherical tip. By applying our model to liposomes, we demonstrate that these structures exhibit nonlinear behaviour characterized by low stiffness at small deformations. Furthermore, we find that the mechanical response of liposomes is influenced by their size. Additionally, we observe that the presence of adhesion energy contributes to the generation of negative tip forces upon initial contact.