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Updated: May 19, 2026
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Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: February 19, 2016
Directed self-assembly of lipid nanotubes from inverted hexagonal structures
Kaori Sugihara1, Mohamed Chami, Imre Derényi
1Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland. sugihara@is.mpg.de
ACS Nano
|August 7, 2012
Summary
Researchers created long, thin lipid nanotubes using fluid flow and specialized surfaces. This novel method allows for controlled alignment and patterning of these 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) nanotubes for potential applications.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Conventional methods for forming lipid nanotubes rely on specific lipid phases or mechanical stress.
- These methods often lack precise control over nanotube formation, alignment, and patterning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for generating and controlling lipid nanotubes using fluid dynamics.
- To investigate the formation of nanotubes from 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) in an inverted hexagonal phase.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing fluid-dynamic flow on polyelectrolyte-functionalized surfaces in a physiological buffer.
- Employing a microfluidic system for precise control over flow and surface interactions.
- Characterizing nanotube dimensions (outer diameter 19.1 ± 4.5 nm, length up to several hundred micrometers).
Main Results:
- Successfully induced the protrusion of lipid nanotubes from DOPE lipid blocks in the inverted hexagonal phase.
- Achieved alignment and patterning of lipid nanotubes into various, including curvy, shapes.
- Demonstrated the formation of nanotubes with controlled dimensions via fluid-dynamic flow.
Conclusions:
- Fluid-dynamic flow on functionalized surfaces provides a new route for nanotube formation from specific lipid phases.
- The microfluidic system enables precise control over nanotube assembly and patterning.
- This technique offers a versatile platform for creating organized lipid nanostructures.
