Substrate effects on interactions of lipid bilayer assemblies with bound nanoparticles

Abstract

Understanding the interactions of nanoparticles with lipid membranes is crucial in establishing the mechanisms that govern assembly of membrane-based nanocomposites, nanotoxicology, and biomimetic inspired self-assembly. In this study, we explore binding of charged nanoparticles to lipid bilayers, both as liposomes and substrate supported assemblies. We find that the presence of a solid-support, regardless of curvature, eliminates the ability of zwitterionic fluid phase lipids to bind charged nanoparticles.