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

Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

173.2K
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.
173.2K
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

14.5K
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...
14.5K
The Fluid Mosaic Model01:34

The Fluid Mosaic Model

177.2K
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.
177.2K
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

15.7K
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...
15.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Myelin basic protein binding is modulated by leaflet asymmetry and lipid composition.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2026
Same author

Single-Ion Anisotropy-Stabilized Short-Period Helimagnetism in Frustrated Chiral Co<sub>5</sub>TeO<sub>8</sub>.

Research (Washington, D.C.)·2026
Same author

<i>mcstas_gisans</i>: combining ray tracing with the distorted-wave Born approximation using <i>McStas</i> and <i>BornAgain</i> for virtual GISANS experiments.

Journal of applied crystallography·2026
Same author

Complex Structural Examination of Protein-Lipid Interactions with Neutron Scattering Techniques.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2026
Same author

Neutron reflectometry instrumentation at the ISIS source: current state.

Journal of applied crystallography·2026
Same author

Twin-compartment solid-liquid cells for neutron reflectometry.

Journal of applied crystallography·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Self-Assembly of Hybrid Lipid Membranes Doped with Hydrophobic Organic Molecules at the Water/Air Interface
06:28

Self-Assembly of Hybrid Lipid Membranes Doped with Hydrophobic Organic Molecules at the Water/Air Interface

Published on: May 1, 2020

4.0K

Self-Assembled Fluid Phase Floating Membranes with Tunable Water Interlayers.

Luke A Clifton1, Nicoló Paracini2, Arwel V Hughes1

  • 1ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, Science and Technology Facilities Council , Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus , Didcot , Oxfordshire OX11 OQX , U.K.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|September 26, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a simple method to create fluid lipid bilayers on surfaces using self-assembly. This technique allows tuning the water layer thickness between the membrane and surface for biomimetic studies and biosensors.

More Related Videos

Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination
09:39

Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination

Published on: March 1, 2020

7.9K
Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film
08:23

Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film

Published on: July 10, 2016

19.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Self-Assembly of Hybrid Lipid Membranes Doped with Hydrophobic Organic Molecules at the Water/Air Interface
06:28

Self-Assembly of Hybrid Lipid Membranes Doped with Hydrophobic Organic Molecules at the Water/Air Interface

Published on: May 1, 2020

4.0K
Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination
09:39

Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination

Published on: March 1, 2020

7.9K
Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film
08:23

Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film

Published on: July 10, 2016

19.0K

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Surface Chemistry

Background:

  • Fabricating stable, fluid lipid bilayers on solid supports is crucial for biomimetic models.
  • Controlling the interface between lipid bilayers and surfaces is challenging but essential for accurate studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a reliable method for fabricating fluid lipid bilayers on charged Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAM) surfaces.
  • To investigate and tune the aqueous interlayer between the lipid bilayer and the SAM surface.
  • To demonstrate the utility of these bilayers for in vitro studies and technological applications.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized neutron reflectometry to characterize water interlayers between lipid bilayers and SAMs.
  • Employed vesicle fusion onto carboxyl-terminated SAMs for bilayer self-assembly.
  • Adjusted surface-to-membrane distance by altering electrolyte concentration (NaCl) in the bulk solution.

Main Results:

  • Characterized a ~8 Å water interlayer between a zwitterionic phospholipid (DPPC) bilayer and an anionic carboxyl-terminated SAM.
  • Achieved high-coverage (>95%) bilayers of POPC via vesicle fusion onto SAMs, forming a 7-11 Å interlayer.
  • Demonstrated reversible swelling of the water interlayer to ~33 Å upon addition of 200 mM NaCl.

Conclusions:

  • Biomimetic membrane models can be readily self-assembled onto functionalized surfaces without polymer supports.
  • The surface-to-membrane distance is tunable using physiological electrolyte concentrations.
  • These weakly interacting planar bilayers are suitable for in vitro biochemical/biophysical studies and biosensor applications.