Shape transformation, burst and fluctuations of giant POPC unilamellar liposomes altered by different surfactants

Blaž Babnik (1), Veronika Kralj-Iglič (2), Aleš Iglič (1)

(1) Faculty of Electrical Engineering, UL, Tržaška 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (2) Faculty of Medicine, UL, Lipičeva 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

The shape transformation of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) with exogeneously added Octaethyleneglycol Mono-n-dodecyl Ether (C12E8), n-Dodecyl-b-D-maltoside (maltoside) and 1,1'-dihexa decyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DilC16(3)) was studied. Using the optical microscope we studied the speed of vesicle shape transformation, from initial spherical vesicle with long thin tubular protrusion to final shape with invagination(s). The addition of surfactants has influence on the speed of the vesicle shape transformation. Also, we compared the amplitudes and frequency of fluctuations of the vesicle membrane, using computer assisted spherical harmonics analysis.

Email: blaz.babnik@fe.uni-lj.si

Address: Tržaška 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia