title: Atomic force microscopy of supported lipid bilayers.
abstract: Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are widely used in biophysical research to investigate the properties of biological membranes and offer exciting prospects in nanobiotechnology. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a well-established technique for imaging SLBs at nanometer resolution. A unique feature of AFM is its ability to monitor dynamic processes, such as the interaction of bilayers with proteins and drugs. Here, we present protocols for preparing dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC/DPPC) bilayers supported on mica using small unilamellar vesicles and for imaging their nanoscale interaction with the antibiotic azithromycin using AFM. The entire protocol can be completed in 10 h.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Pharmacologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marie-Paule
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mingeot-Leclercq
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deleu
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brasseur
authors.forename: Yves F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Dufrêne
mesh_terms: D003902:Detergents; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D008051:Lipid Bilayers