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Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers
Published on: July 22, 2015
AFM study of interaction forces in supported planar DPPC bilayers in the presence of general anesthetic halothane
1Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Canada AB T2N 1N4.
Abstract:
In spite of numerous investigations, the molecular mechanism of general anesthetics action is still not well understood. It has been shown that the anesthetic potency is related to the ability of an anesthetic to partition into the membrane. We have investigated changes in structure, dynamics and forces of interaction in supported dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers in the presence of the general anesthetic halothane. In the present study, we measured the forces of interaction between the probe and the bilayer using an atomic force microscope. The changes in force curves as a function of anesthetic incorporation were analyzed. Force measurements were in good agreement with AFM imaging data, and provided valuable information on bilayer thickness, structural transitions, and halothane-induced changes in electrostatic and adhesive properties.
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