A New Method for Measuring Microscopic Properties of Lipid Vesicles and Related Membrane Systems

化学系授予西华盛顿大学的这项初创奖学金支持大卫·L·帕特里克教授的研究。这项研究的重点是测量脂泡和相关膜系统的微观性质。一种新的方法正在开发中，它将能够直接测量独立的双层和多层类脂膜的化学和物理性质。该方法将原子力显微镜与基于微吸管的技术相结合，能够同时测量无支撑薄膜的微观和宏观性质。研究独立类脂膜的方法可以扩展到其他体系，包括生物膜和油/水界面的两亲性膜。这项研究提供了有关脂膜的纳米级结构、机械和化学性质的信息，有助于我们理解微观现象和大规模行为之间的联系。

This starter grant award of the Chemistry Division to Western Washington University supports the research of Professor David L. Patrick. The research focuses on measurement of microscopic properties of lipid vesicles and related membrane systems. A new method is under development which would enable direct measurement of chemical and physical properties of free-standing bilayer and multilamellar lipid films. The approach combines atomic force microscopy with a micropipette-based technique to enable simultaneous measurement of microscopic and macroscopic properties on unsupported films. The approach for study of free-standing lipid films could be extended to other systems, including biomembranes and amphiphilic films at oil/water interfaces. This research provides information on nanometer-scale structural, mechanical, and chemical properties of lipid films, helping to forge links in our understanding of the connection between microscopic phenomena and the large-scale behavior.