Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

18.9K
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...
18.9K
The Fluid Mosaic Model01:34

The Fluid Mosaic Model

182.4K
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.
182.4K
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

10.6K
Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...
10.6K
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

17.4K
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...
17.4K
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

177.7K
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.
177.7K
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

4.4K
Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
4.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Programmable engineered bacteria manipulate metabolism and remodel the TME in situ for enhancing adoptive cell therapy.

Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy·2026
Same author

Bioinspired Artificial Bioenergetic Organelles: Design Principles, Nanofabrication and Therapeutic Translation.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026
Same author

Chemotactic Gold Nanozyme-Powered Flasklike Pentosan Nanobots for Tumor-Specific Drug Delivery.

Advanced healthcare materials·2026
Same author

Structural and Thermodynamic Properties of C<i><sub>n</sub></i>EO<i><sub>m</sub></i> Micelles and Monolayers Reproduced by a Coarse-Grained Force Field Based on a Polarizable Water Model.

Journal of chemical information and modeling·2026
Same author

Retraction: Tetrahydrocurcumin induces mesenchymalepithelial transition and suppresses angiogenesis by targeting HIF1α and autophagy in human osteosarcoma.

Oncotarget·2026
Same author

Modular peptide nanofibres that self-assemble on bacterial membranes overcome antimicrobial resistance.

Nature biomedical engineering·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Assembly of Cell Mimicking Supported and Suspended Lipid Bilayer Models for the Study of Molecular Interactions
12:18

Assembly of Cell Mimicking Supported and Suspended Lipid Bilayer Models for the Study of Molecular Interactions

Published on: August 3, 2021

4.2K

Polyelectrolyte multilayer-cushioned fluid lipid bilayers: a parachute model.

Jingxin Shao1, Caixia Wen2, Mingjun Xuan1

  • 1Key Lab for Microsystems and Microstructures Manufacturing, Micro/Nanotechnology Research Centre, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China. qianghe@hit.edu.cn.

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|December 24, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Researchers created fluid lipid bilayers on polyelectrolyte multilayers, mimicking cell structures. This biomembrane model, using specific phospholipids and pH, shows promise for biomedical applications.

More Related Videos

Lipid Bilayer Experiments with Contact Bubble Bilayers for Patch-Clampers
07:18

Lipid Bilayer Experiments with Contact Bubble Bilayers for Patch-Clampers

Published on: January 16, 2019

10.2K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches
07:31

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches

Published on: September 1, 2023

3.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Assembly of Cell Mimicking Supported and Suspended Lipid Bilayer Models for the Study of Molecular Interactions
12:18

Assembly of Cell Mimicking Supported and Suspended Lipid Bilayer Models for the Study of Molecular Interactions

Published on: August 3, 2021

4.2K
Lipid Bilayer Experiments with Contact Bubble Bilayers for Patch-Clampers
07:18

Lipid Bilayer Experiments with Contact Bubble Bilayers for Patch-Clampers

Published on: January 16, 2019

10.2K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches
07:31

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches

Published on: September 1, 2023

3.3K

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Surface Chemistry
  • Molecular Biophysics

Background:

  • Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) support lipid bilayers, serving as biomembrane models.
  • PEMs mimic extracellular matrix and cell skeleton roles in biological systems.
  • These models bridge biological and artificial materials for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the formation and properties of fluid lipid bilayers on PEMs.
  • To identify key factors influencing lipid bilayer formation on polyelectrolyte supports.
  • To explore the potential of PEM-supported lipid bilayers in biomedical fields.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of PEMs using layer-by-layer self-assembly.
  • Real-time monitoring of phospholipid-polyelectrolyte interactions using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D).
  • Surface characterization via contact angle and zeta potential measurements; molecular simulations.

Main Results:

  • Phospholipid charge, buffer pH, and substrate hydrophilicity are critical for vesicle adsorption, rupture, fusion, and bilayer formation.
  • Specific phospholipid mixtures (phosphatidylcholine:phosphatidic acid, 4:1) formed fluid bilayers on chitosan/alginate PEMs at pH 6.5.
  • Molecular simulations revealed a "parachute" model for fluid lipid bilayer formation.

Conclusions:

  • PEM-cushioned fluid lipid bilayers represent a biomembrane model closely resembling real cell membranes.
  • Optimized conditions enable the formation of stable, fluid lipid bilayers on polyelectrolyte supports.
  • These advanced biomembrane models hold significant potential for biomedical applications.