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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
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...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

Scientists identified the plasma membrane in the 1890s and its principal chemical components (lipids and proteins) by 1915. The model for plasma membrane structure, proposed in 1935 by Hugh Davson and James Danielli, was the first model to be widely accepted in the scientific community. The model was based on the plasma membrane's "railroad track" appearance in early electron micrographs. Davson and Danielli theorized that the plasma membrane's structure resembled a sandwich with the analogy of...
The Fluid Mosaic Model01:34

The Fluid Mosaic Model

The fluid mosaic model was first proposed as a visual representation of research observations. The model comprises the composition and dynamics of membranes and serves as a foundation for future membrane-related studies. The model depicts the structure of the plasma membrane with a variety of components, which include phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These integral molecules are loosely bound, defining the cell’s border and providing fluidity for optimal function.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Lipid Bilayer Vesicle Generation Using Microfluidic Jetting
08:35

Lipid Bilayer Vesicle Generation Using Microfluidic Jetting

Published on: February 21, 2014

Separating attoliter-sized compartments using fluid pore-spanning lipid bilayers.

Thomas D Lazzara1, Christian Carnarius, Marta Kocun

  • 1Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.

ACS Nano
|July 30, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers created fluid lipid bilayers across nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) using giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). This method effectively separates compartments, demonstrating potential for molecular encapsulation and controlled transport.

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Spontaneous Formation and Rearrangement of Artificial Lipid Nanotube Networks as a Bottom-Up Model for Endoplasmic Reticulum
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Spontaneous Formation and Rearrangement of Artificial Lipid Nanotube Networks as a Bottom-Up Model for Endoplasmic Reticulum
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Spontaneous Formation and Rearrangement of Artificial Lipid Nanotube Networks as a Bottom-Up Model for Endoplasmic Reticulum

Published on: January 22, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Biophysics
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) is a nanoporous material with aligned cylindrical pores.
  • Creating stable, fluid lipid bilayers across nanopores is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a protocol for generating pore-spanning fluid lipid bilayers on AAO.
  • To characterize the properties and barrier function of these membranes.

Main Methods:

  • Selective functionalization of AAO using silane chemistry.
  • Spreading of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) to form continuous membrane patches.
  • Observation of bilayer formation via fluorescence microscopy.
  • Analysis of membrane fluidity using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP).

Main Results:

  • Successful formation of fluid, pore-spanning lipid bilayers on AAO.
  • Bilayer formation confirmed by GUV rupture and surface area conservation.
  • Low immobile fractions (5-15%) and diffusion coefficients comparable to silica-supported bilayers.
  • Demonstrated barrier function through molecular entrapment and macromolecule exclusion.

Conclusions:

  • The developed protocol enables the creation of functional fluid lipid bilayers on AAO.
  • These pore-spanning membranes act as effective barriers for molecular encapsulation.
  • The system offers a 3D platform for investigating membrane properties and transport phenomena.