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Related Concept Videos

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
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...
Lipids as Anchors01:32

Lipids as Anchors

In the plasma membrane, the lipids forming the bilayer can also act as an anchor to tether proteins to the membrane. The three main types of lipid anchors found in eukaryotes are – prenyl groups, fatty acyl groups, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol or GPI groups. Prenyl and fatty acyl groups act as anchors on the cytosolic surface of the membrane, whereas GPI anchors proteins on the extracellular side.
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains the...
Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the anterior...
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...

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Related Experiment Video

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Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film
08:23

Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film

Published on: July 10, 2016

Stable insulating tethered bilayer lipid membranes.

Inga K Vockenroth1, Christian Ohm, Joseph W F Robertson

  • 1Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.

Biointerphases
|April 23, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Tethered bilayer lipid membranes offer a stable, long-lasting model for biological membranes, enhanced by hydrogel coatings for air stability and useful in sensing applications.

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Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film
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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs) serve as robust models for biological membranes.
  • Coupling membranes to solid supports enhances stability and accessibility for analysis.
  • tBLMs possess good electrical sealing properties, suitable for sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the stability and properties of tethered bilayer lipid membranes.
  • To explore methods for enhancing the air-stability of tBLMs.
  • To analyze the structure and potential stability of monolayers under applied potentials.

Main Methods:

  • Formation of tethered bilayer lipid membranes on solid supports.
  • Application of hydrogel coatings to improve air-stability.
  • Neutron scattering techniques to study monolayer structure and stability.
  • Investigation of membrane stability under applied direct current (dc) potentials.

Main Results:

  • Tethered membranes demonstrated extended operational lifetimes, lasting up to several months.
  • Hydrogel coatings were effective in achieving air-stability for the lipid bilayers.
  • Neutron scattering provided insights into monolayer structure and behavior under dc potentials.

Conclusions:

  • Tethered bilayer lipid membranes are stable and long-lived model systems.
  • Hydrogel coatings significantly enhance the practical utility of tBLMs by providing air-stability.
  • These membranes hold promise for advanced sensing applications and fundamental membrane studies.