Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Phase Behavior of Charged Vesicles Under Symmetric and Asymmetric Solution Conditions Monitored with Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: October 24, 2017
From small fluctuations to large-scale phase separation: lateral organization in model membranes containing
1Cornell University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States. sv232@cornell.edu
Abstract:
Macroscopic coexisting liquid phases are readily observed in certain model membranes containing cholesterol and at least two other lipid components. Recent fluorescence microscopy and deuterium NMR work indicates that submicron fluctuations are also found, in vesicles with near-critical lipid compositions. In principle, the magnitude of critical fluctuations can be controlled by changing temperature, or through other means of shifting the phase boundary such as including impurities or cross-linking components. Critical fluctuations are dynamic submicron domains in model membranes, and provide a plausible physical mechanism to produce putative 'raft' domains in cholesterol-rich biomembranes.
Related Concept Videos
Fluid Mosaic Model
Fluid Mosaic Model
Membrane Fluidity
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...
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...

