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Updated: May 21, 2026

Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy as a Unique Probe for Lipid Membrane Dynamics and Membrane-Protein Interactions
Published on: May 27, 2021
Effect of cholesterol on the lateral nanoscale dynamics of fluid membranes
Clare L Armstrong1, Matthew A Barrett, Arno Hiess
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, ABB-241, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4M1, Canada. armstc5@mcmaster.ca
Abstract:
Inelastic neutron scattering was used to study the effect of 5 and 40 mol% cholesterol on the lateral nanoscale dynamics of phospholipid membranes. By measuring the excitation spectrum at several lateral q (||) values (up to q (||) = 3 Å(-1)), complete dispersion curves were determined of gel, fluid and liquid-ordered phase bilayers. The inclusion of cholesterol had a distinct effect on the collective dynamics of the bilayer's hydrocarbon chains; specifically, we observed a pronounced stiffening of the membranes on the nanometer length scale in both gel and fluid bilayers, even though they were experiencing a higher degree of molecular disorder. Also, for the first time we determined the nanoscale dynamics in the high-cholesterol liquid-ordered phase of bilayers containing cholesterol. Namely, this phase appears to be "softer" than fluid bilayers, but better ordered than bilayers in the gel phase.
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