Thermal migration of molecular lipid films as a contactless fabrication strategy for lipid nanotube networks.

Gözen, Irep; Shaali, Mehrnaz; Ainla, Alar; Örtmen, Bahanur; Põldsalu, Inga; Kustanovich, Kiryl; Jeffries, Gavin D M; Konkoli, Zoran et al. · Lab Chip · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We demonstrate the contactless generation of lipid nanotube networks by means of thermally induced migration of flat giant unilamellar vesicles (FGUVs), covering micro-scale areas on oxidized aluminum surfaces. A temperature gradient with a reach of 20 μm was generated using a focused IR laser, leading to a surface adhesion gradient, along which FGUVs could be relocated. We report on suitable lipid-substrate combinations, highlighting the critical importance of the electrostatic interactions between the engineered substrate and the membrane for reversible migration of intact vesicles.