Directed self-assembly of lipid nanotubes from inverted hexagonal structures.

Sugihara, Kaori; Chami, Mohamed; Derényi, Imre; Vörös, János; Zambelli, Tomaso · ACS Nano · 2012

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Conventional lipid-tube formation is based on either a tube phase of certain lipids or the shape transformation of lamellar structures by applying a point load. In the present study, lipid blocks in inverted hexagonal phase made of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) were shown to protrude lipid nanotubes upon a fluid-dynamic flow on polyelectrolyte-functionalized surfaces in physiological buffer solution. The outer diameter of the tubes is 19.1 ± 4.5 nm and their lengths are up to several hundred micrometers. The method described enables the alignment and patterning of lipid nanotubes into various (including curvy) shapes with a microfluidic system.

Medical subject headings