Rapid Electroformation of Giant Vesicles

Abstract

Abstract With a small amount of an electrolyte, electroformation of giant vesicles (GVs) proceeded faster than in pure water. In 50 µM neutral phosphate buffer, a GV larger than 50 µm formed in 100 s. The time required for the completion was 5–10 min while electroformation in pure water usually takes 90–120 min. The rapid formation was observed with various electrolytes but only of appropriate concentration (for phosphate buffer, 40–200 µM) and not with a nonelectrolyte such as glucose.