Abstract
Lipid bilayers supported by nanoporous xerogel materials are being explored as models for cell membranes. In order to better understand and characterize the nature of the surface–bilayer interactions, several oxide and organic nanoporous xerogel films (alumina, titania, iron oxide, phloroglucinol–formaldehyde, resorcinol–formaldehyde and cellulose acetate) have been investigated as a scaffold for vesicle-fused 1,2-dioleoyl- glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) lipid bilayer formation and mobility. The surface topography of the different substrates was analyzed using contact and tapping-mode atomic force microscopy and the surface energy of the substrates was determined using contact angle goniometry. Lipid bilayer formation has been observed with fluorescence microscopy and lateral lipid diffusion coefficients have been determined using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Titania xerogel films were found to be a robust and convenient support for formation of a two-phase DOPC/1,2-distearoyl- glycero-3-phosphocholine bilayer and domains were observed with this system. It was found that the cellulose acetate xerogel film support produced the slowest lipid lateral diffusion.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
