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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers
Published on: July 22, 2015
Nanomechanical contrasts of gel and fluid phase supported lipid bilayers
M P Goertz1, B L Stottrup, J E Houston
1Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
Abstract:
Lipid bilayers exhibit structural diversity that contributes to the complex properties of the cell membrane. We use interfacial force microscopy to correlate mechanical properties with the two-dimensional phase behavior of supported lipid bilayers (SLBs). Upon indentation by a 500 nm tungsten tip, a contrast in the mechanical response is observed for gel vs fluid phase SLBs. We measure the yield force and time scale for recovery for these films. Consistent with a gel phase, a DSPC SLB has a relatively high yield force and slow recovery. In the higher mobility fluid phase, a DLPC SLB has a lower yield force and completely recovers within the experimental time scale. Friction measurements offer further contrast between the two SLBs.
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