Simulation of morphological and functional properties of erythrocyte membrane

The paper presents a model for the calculation of morphofunctional erythrocyte properties. The model represents the erythrocyte as a homogeneous elastic body with elastic depending on the distance to the center of symmetry of the erythrocyte. The data for modeling were taken from the experimental study, which were used by atomic force microscopy (measuring the elasticity of the membrane of erythrocytes and morphology) and the Coulter method. In the developed model, the elasticity of the membrane to change depending on the distance to the center within 1–1,6 kPa. The calculation of the elastic properties is made by two methods — finite element analysis and optimization methods. In the model the dependence of erythrocyte morphology on the membrane pressure was obtained. Pressure difference across the erythrocyte membrane varied in the range of 0,5–2 kPa.