Bilayer membrane interactions with nanofabricated scaffolds. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collier, C. Patrick
• Is Part Of: Chemistry and physics of lipids. Volume 192(2015)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Biomembranes -- Nanofabrication -- Cytoskeleton -- Lipids; Lipids -- Periodicals; Lipids -- Periodicals; Lipides -- Périodiques; Lipids; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2015.07.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-3084

Abstract

Abstract: Membrane function is facilitated by lateral organization within the lipid bilayer, includingphase-separation of lipids into more ordered domains (lipid rafts) and anchoring of the membrane to a cytoskeleton. These features have proven difficult to reproduce in model membrane systems such as black lipid membranes, unilamellar vesicles and supported bilayers. However, advances in micro/nanofabrication have resulted in more realistic synthetic models of membrane-cytoskeleton interactions that can help uncover the design rules responsible for biological membrane formation and organization. This review will focus on describing micro-/nanostructured scaffolds that can emulate the connections of a cellular membrane to an underlying "cytoskeleton". Examples include molecular-based scaffolds anchored to a solid substrate through surface chemistry, solid-state supports modified by material deposition, lithography and etching, the creation of micro/nanoporous arrays, integration with microfluidics, and droplet-based bilayers at interfaces.Model systems such as theseare increasing our understanding of structure and organization in cell membranes, and how they result in the emergence of functionality at the nanoscale.