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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
10:34
Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer
Published on: April 23, 2017
Interaction of lipid membrane with nanostructured surfaces
Yuri Roiter1, Maryna Ornatska, Aravind R Rammohan
1Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, NanoBio Laboratory (NABLAB), Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699-5810, USA.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|May 27, 2009
Summary
Lipid membrane interactions with silica nanoparticles depend on particle size and surface texture. Nanoparticles larger than 22 nm are enveloped, while smaller or bumpy ones induce membrane pores or conform to the surface.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Phospholipid bilayers (DMPC) act as a barrier, influencing interactions with nanostructured surfaces.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for applications like drug delivery and biomaterial design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of silica nanoparticle size and surface topography on supported lipid membrane morphology.
- To determine the critical dimensions for lipid membrane structural rearrangements and nanoparticle interaction.
Main Methods:
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize membrane-surface interactions.
- Systematic variation of silica nanoparticle diameter and surface texture.
- Comparison with analytical free energy models and numerical simulations.
Main Results:
- Lipid membranes fully enveloped smooth silica particles >22 nm.
- Partially enveloped bumpy particles <22 nm.
- Formed pores for particles 1.2-22 nm, accommodating them without full envelopment.
- Conformed to structures <1.2 nm without integrity loss.
Conclusions:
- Lipid membrane response is highly sensitive to nanostructure dimensions (1.2-22 nm).
- Findings inform the design of drug-delivery systems and substrates for supported lipid bilayers.
- Provides insights into nanoparticle endocytosis and cytotoxicity mechanisms.
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