Abstract
We propose scanning localized surface plasmon microscopy of mixed lipid bilayers with submicron domain structures. Our observation technique, which employs localized surface plasmons excited on a flat metal surface as a sensing probe, provides non-label and non-contact imaging with the spatial resolution of ∼ 170 nm. We experimentally show that submicron domain structures of mixed lipid bilayers can be observed. A detailed analysis finds that the domains are classified into two groups.
Highlights
It is recognized that mixed bilayers are useful to model lateral heterogeneity of biological membranes as observed in lipid micro-domains
We propose scanning localized surface plasmon microscopy of mixed lipid bilayers with submicron domain structures
In contrast to these criteria, even the atomic force microscopes (AFMs) that have a cantilever approaching to the sample surface are not perfect instruments because the cantilever could impede the liquid fluidity and aqueous environment leads to loss of sensitivity, while AFMs provide observation of lipid bilayers at molecular scale, and remarkable outcomes in this field [4, 7, 8]
Summary
It is recognized that mixed bilayers are useful to model lateral heterogeneity of biological membranes as observed in lipid micro-domains. Criteria required in the observational method can be listed as follows; (a) spatial resolution to observe domain structures with the size of a sub-micrometer; (b) thickness resolution to be able to distinguish lipid bilayers with a precision of a few nanometers; (c) non-label measurements and measurement in an aqueous environment to maintain the lipid’s original nature; (d) no physical obstructions over the lipid bilayers that could prevent molecular and liquid fluidity. We report that domain structures of mixed lipid bilayers which have the size of Received 30 May 2012; revised 8 Jul 2012; accepted 9 Jul 2012; published 7 Aug 2012 1 September 2012 / Vol 3, No 9 / BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2013 sub-micrometer can be observed by the scanning localized surface plasmon microscope for the first time
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