Directed self-assembly of lipid nanotubes from inverted hexagonal structures

ACS Nano. 2012 Aug 28;6(8):6626-32. doi: 10.1021/nn300557s. Epub 2012 Aug 9.

Abstract

Conventional lipid-tube formation is based on either a tube phase of certain lipids or the shape transformation of lamellar structures by applying a point load. In the present study, lipid blocks in inverted hexagonal phase made of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) were shown to protrude lipid nanotubes upon a fluid-dynamic flow on polyelectrolyte-functionalized surfaces in physiological buffer solution. The outer diameter of the tubes is 19.1 ± 4.5 nm and their lengths are up to several hundred micrometers. The method described enables the alignment and patterning of lipid nanotubes into various (including curvy) shapes with a microfluidic system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Body Fluids / chemistry*
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Materials Testing
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines / chemical synthesis*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • 1,2-dioleoyl-glycero-3-phosphatidyl ethanolamine
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines