The effects of fluorescent probes on model membrane organization: photo-induced lipid sorting and soft structure formation

Abstract

Liquid crystalline phase behaviour in model cell membranes prepared in-vitro has generated an enormous amount of interest in recent years and the phase diagrams of various bio-mimetic mixtures explored. Most recently photo-induced oxidation in fluorescently labelled membranes has been shown to influence these phase diagrams and can be used to generate interesting membrane-based geometries based on differences in membrane composition. In this article the different phases observed in model membranes will be discussed. Methods used to study these systems and recent developments in photo-stimulated phase changes are described along with areas for future investigation.

Keywords:

• lipid bilayers
• rafts
• fluorescence
• membranes

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge generous funding from the National Science Foundation, through an NSF CAREER award (DMR – BMAT #0852791). Additional support was provided by the School of Natural Sciences, at the University of California, Merced and by the Center for Materials Science and Technology (MARTECH) at Florida State University.