Dresden 2020 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 9: Poster II

BP 9.17: Poster

Monday, March 16, 2020, 17:30–19:30, P2/2OG

Phase Separation and Mechanics of Biomimetic Membranes — •Valeska Rathe and Cornelia Monzel — Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany

Under certain conditions, biological membranes are able to phase separate into liquid ordered and liquid disordered domains. To further understand, how this phenomenon affects cell processes, such as molecular aggregation during adhesion or signalling, it is important to examine changes in mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the membrane. Lipid phase coexistence can be induced via temperature change, osmotic shock or other influences. During this process, for example, the bending rigidity of the membrane changes. Liquid ordered domains display an increased bending rigidity compared to the liquid disordered domain and the pre-phase separation state. In this work, the membrane mechanical parameters are studied with giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) as they undergo phase separation. GUVs are lipid bilayer spheres, which serve as biomimetic models of the cell membrane. A ternary mixture consisting of DOPC, DPPC lipids and cholesterol is stimulated to phase separate under different conditions. Using the method of fluorescence flicker spectroscopy, changes in the membrane mechanical parameters are derived.