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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Fluorescence Recovery after Merging a Droplet to Measure the Two-dimensional Diffusion of a Phospholipid Monolayer
Published on: October 15, 2015
Shear rheology of lipid monolayers and insights on membrane fluidity
Gabriel Espinosa1, Iván López-Montero, Francisco Monroy
1Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, Université Paris Sud XI, Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 8502, 91405 Orsay, France.
Abstract:
The concept of membrane fluidity usually refers to a high molecular mobility inside the lipid bilayer which enables lateral diffusion of embedded proteins. Fluids have the ability to flow under an applied shear stress whereas solids resist shear deformations. Biological membranes require both properties for their function: high lateral fluidity and structural rigidity. Consequently, an adequate account must include, in addition to viscosity, the possibility for a nonzero shear modulus. This knowledge is still lacking as measurements of membrane shear properties have remained incomplete so far. In the present contribution we report a surface shear rheology study of different lipid monolayers that model distinct biologically relevant situations. The results evidence a large variety of mechanical behavior under lateral shear flow.
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