Radial sizing of lipid nanotubes using membrane displacement analysis.

Stepanyants, Natalia; Jeffries, Gavin D M; Orwar, Owe; Jesorka, Aldo · Nano Lett · 2012

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

We report a novel method for the measurement of lipid nanotube radii. Membrane translocation is monitored between two nanotube-connected vesicles, during the expansion of a receiving vesicle, by observing a photobleached region of the nanotube. We elucidate nanotube radii, extracted from SPE vesicles, enabling quantification of membrane composition and lamellarity. Variances of nanotube radii were measured, showing a growth of 40-56 nm, upon increasing cholesterol content from 0 to 20%.

Medical subject headings