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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Spontaneous Formation and Rearrangement of Artificial Lipid Nanotube Networks as a Bottom-Up Model for Endoplasmic Reticulum
Published on: January 22, 2019
Insertion mechanism and stability of boron nitride nanotubes in lipid bilayers
Michael Thomas1,2,3, Marta Enciso2, Tamsyn A Hilder1
1†Computational Biophysics Group, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
Abstract:
We provide insight into the interaction of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with cell membranes to better understand their improved biocompatibility compared to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Contrary to CNTs, no computational studies exist investigating the insertion mechanism and stability of BNNTs in membranes. Our molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that BNNTs are spontaneously attracted to lipid bilayers and are stable once inserted. They insert via a lipid-mediated, passive insertion mechanism. BNNTs demonstrate similar characteristics to more biocompatible functionalized CNTs.
