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

西华盛顿大学化学系的启动基金资助了David L. Patrick教授的研究。研究重点是脂质囊泡及其相关膜系统的微观特性的测量。一种能够直接测量独立双层和多层脂质膜的化学和物理性质的新方法正在开发中。该方法结合了原子力显微镜和基于微移液管的技术，可以同时测量无支撑薄膜的微观和宏观特性。研究独立脂质膜的方法可以扩展到其他系统，包括生物膜和油/水界面的两亲性膜。本研究提供了纳米尺度的脂质膜结构、力学和化学性质的信息，有助于我们理解微观现象与大尺度行为之间的联系。

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.