Production of isolated giant unilamellar vesicles under high salt concentrations

Stein H, Spindler S, Bonakdar N, Wang C, Sandoghdar V (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Frontiers in Physiology Frontiers Media

Book Volume: 8

Article Number: 63

Journal Issue: FEB

DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00063

Abstract

The cell membrane forms a dynamic and complex barrier between the living cell and its environment. However, its in vivo studies are difficult because it consists of a high variety of lipids and proteins and is continuously reorganized by the cell. Therefore, membrane model systems with precisely controlled composition are used to investigate fundamental interactions of membrane components under well-defined conditions. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) offer a powerful model system for the cell membrane, but many previous studies have been performed in unphysiologically low ionic strength solutions which might lead to altered membrane properties, protein stability and lipid-protein interaction. In the present work, we give an overview of the existing methods for GUV production and present our efforts on forming single, free floating vesicles up to several tens of μm in diameter and at high yield in various buffer solutions with physiological ionic strength and pH.

Authors with CRIS profile

Susann Spindler Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik Vahid Sandoghdar Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Stein, H., Spindler, S., Bonakdar, N., Wang, C., & Sandoghdar, V. (2017). Production of isolated giant unilamellar vesicles under high salt concentrations. Frontiers in Physiology, 8(FEB). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00063

MLA:

Stein, Hannah, et al. "Production of isolated giant unilamellar vesicles under high salt concentrations." Frontiers in Physiology 8.FEB (2017).

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