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Preparation of Micrometer‐Sized Free‐Standing Membranes
Author(s) -
Heinemann Fabian,
Schwille Petra
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201100438
Subject(s) - membrane , bursting , vesicle , micrometer , materials science , nanotechnology , chemistry , chemical engineering , optics , physics , biology , biochemistry , neuroscience , engineering
Snap, crackle and pop! A simple method to obtain solvent‐free, free‐standing membranes suspended over apertures with 2.5 μm in diameter is described. The membranes are obtained by bursting of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV) on a holey surface (see picture). Membrane integrity after bursting is fostered by enhancing the electrostatic interaction of the holey surface and the lipids.