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Updated: May 25, 2026
Constant Pressure-controlled Extrusion Method for the Preparation of Nano-sized Lipid Vesicles
Published on: June 22, 2012
Radial sizing of lipid nanotubes using membrane displacement analysis
Natalia Stepanyants1, Gavin D M Jeffries, Owe Orwar
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Göteborg, Sweden.
We developed a new method to measure lipid nanotube radii by tracking membrane flow between vesicles. This technique quantifies nanotube dimensions and reveals how cholesterol content influences their growth.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Membrane Biology
Background:
- Lipid nanotubes are crucial in cellular processes.
- Accurate measurement of their radii is essential for understanding membrane properties.
- Current methods for nanotube radius measurement are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel method for measuring lipid nanotube radii.
- To enable quantification of membrane composition and lamellarity using nanotube dimensions.
- To investigate the effect of cholesterol on nanotube radii.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring membrane translocation between two nanotube-connected vesicles.
- Observing a photobleached region of the nanotube during vesicle expansion.
- Extracting nanotube radii from giant
We report a novel method for the measurement of lipid nanotube radii. Membrane translocation is monitored between two nanotube-connected vesicles, during the expansion of a receiving vesicle, by observing a photobleached region of the nanotube. We elucidate nanotube radii, extracted from SPE vesicles, enabling quantification of membrane composition and lamellarity. Variances of nanotube radii were measured, showing a growth of 40-56 nm, upon increasing cholesterol content from 0 to 20%.
Main Results:
- Successfully measured lipid nanotube radii using the developed method.
- Demonstrated that nanotube radii increase with higher cholesterol content (0-20%).
- Quantified variations in nanotube radii, showing growth from 40-56 nm.
Conclusions:
- The novel method provides accurate lipid nanotube radius measurements.
- Nanotube radii are sensitive to membrane composition, particularly cholesterol content.
- This technique offers a new tool for studying lipid membrane properties.
