Leaflet-Specific Structure and Dynamics of Solid and Polymer Supported Lipid Bilayers

Polymer-supported or tethered lipid bilayers serve as versatile platforms for mimicking plasma membrane structure and dynamics, yet the impact of polymer supports on lipid bilayers remains largely unresolved. In this study, we introduce a novel methodology that combines graphene-induced energy transfer (GIET) with line-scan fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (lsFLCS) to examine the structural and dynamic properties of lipid bilayers. Our findings reveal that polymer supports markedly influence both the structural parameters, such as the membrane height from the substrate, its thickness, as well as dynamic properties, including leaflet-specific diffusion coefficients and interleaflet coupling. These findings highlight the complex interplay between a polymer support and the lipid bilayers. By resolving leaflet-specific diffusion and heights of the two leaflets from the substrate, this study emphasizes the potential of GIET-lsFLCS for probing membrane dynamics and structure. These insights significantly advance the understanding and application of polymer-supported membranes across diverse research contexts.