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Membrane Curvature Induced by Sugar and Polymer Solutions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

H.-G. Döbereiner
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow-Seehof, Germany, hgd@mpikg-teltow.mpg.de
A. Lehmann
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow-Seehof, Germany, hgd@mpikg-teltow.mpg.de
W. Goedel
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow-Seehof, Germany, hgd@mpikg-teltow.mpg.de
O. Selchow
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow-Seehof, Germany, hgd@mpikg-teltow.mpg.de
R. Lipowsky
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow-Seehof, Germany, hgd@mpikg-teltow.mpg.de
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Abstract

We monitor the effect of transversal membrane asymmetry on the morphology of giant uni-lamellar vesicles in sugar and polymer solutions. The shapes of fluid lipid vesicles are governed by the bending elasticity of their membrane which is characterized by the bending modulus and the spontaneous curvature of the bilayer. We present a recently developed technique for the measurement of the spontaneous curvature using quantitative phase contrast microscopy. Different mechanisms for elastic membrane asymmetry and the role of the bending energy concept for the morphology of cellular organelles are discussed.

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Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

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