Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Spot Variation Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy for Analysis of Molecular Diffusion at the Plasma Membrane of Living Cells
Published on: November 12, 2020
In vivo plasma membrane organization: results of biophysical approaches
P H M Lommerse1, H P Spaink, T Schmidt
1Department of Biophysics, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
In the last two decades, various biophysical techniques have been used to investigate the organization of the plasma membrane in live cells. This review describes some of the most important experimental findings and summarizes the characteristics and limitations of a few frequently used biophysical techniques. In addition, the current knowledge about three membrane organizational elements: the membrane-associated cytoskeleton, caveolae and lipid microdomains, is described in detail. Unresolved issues, experimental contradictions and future directions to integrate the variety of experimental data into a revised model of the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells are discussed in the last section.
Related Concept Videos
Fluid Mosaic Model
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer
Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

