Direct visualization of phase transition dynamics in binary supported phospholipid bilayers using imaging ellipsometry.

Szmodis, Alan W; Blanchette, Craig D; Levchenko, Andrey A; Navrotsky, Alexandra; Longo, Marjorie L; Orme, Christine A; Parikh, Atul N · Soft Matter · 2008

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Via imaging ellipsometry, we study the phase transition dynamics induced by selective gelation of one component in a binary supported phopholipid bilayer. We find the modulation of two attendant morphological features: emergence of extended defect chains due to a net change in the molecular areas and fractal-like domains suggesting weak line tension. A time-lapse analysis of the ellipsometric images reveals the cluster size of 4-20 molecules undergoing gelation indicating weak cooperativity. These results demonstrate the use of ellipsometry for in situ, label-free, non-contact, and large-area imaging of dynamics in interfacial films.