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Updated: May 13, 2026
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Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers
Published on: July 22, 2015
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Label-Free Interference Microscopy and Single-Molecule Displacement Mapping Elucidate the Microscopic Structure and
Collin J Steen1, Vaibhav Vaiyakarnam1, Wan Li1
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 20, 2025
Summary
We developed a label-free microscopy method to visualize and quantify stacked lipid bilayers. This technique reveals their structure, formation, and stability, showing stacked bilayers have higher diffusivity than single bilayers.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Stacked lipid bilayers are crucial in biological systems and for applications.
- Understanding their structure and dynamics is essential for harnessing their potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a label-free method for visualizing and quantifying glass-supported stacked lipid bilayers (SSLBs).
- To investigate the formation, stability, and dynamics of SSLBs.
Main Methods:
- Interference reflection microscopy (IRM) using three wavelengths for quantitative analysis.
- Characterization of SSLB formation via spin-coating, evaporation, and liposome deposition.
- Single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping.
Main Results:
- Achieved high-contrast, quantitative visualization of SSLBs, determining local bilayer numbers.
- SSLBs form readily under various conditions and are stable at physiological ionic strengths.
- SSLBs destabilize in low salt and pure water, showing delamination and wrinkling, while leaving a stable single bilayer.
- Stacked bilayers exhibit significantly higher diffusivity than single bilayers, suggesting a more native environment.
Conclusions:
- Label-free IRM is effective for visualizing and quantifying SSLBs.
- SSLB stability is dependent on ionic strength, with delamination occurring in pure water.
- SSLBs offer enhanced diffusivity compared to single bilayers, indicating potential for biomimetic applications.
