title: Recent developments in the field of bending rigidity measurements on membranes.
abstract: This review gives a brief overview of experimental approaches used to assess the bending rigidity of membranes. Emphasis is placed on techniques based on the use of giant unilamellar vesicles. We summarize the effect on the bending rigidity of membranes as a function of membrane composition, presence of various inclusions in the bilayer and molecules and ions in the bathing solutions. Examples for the impact of temperature, cholesterol, some peptides and proteins, sugars and salts are provided and the literature data are discussed critically. Future directions, open questions and possible developments in this research field are also included.
authors.affiliation: Department of Theory and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany. Electronic address: Rumiana.Dimova@mpikg.mpg.de.
authors.forename: Rumiana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dimova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D048430:Cell Shape; D004548:Elasticity; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D053140:Organelle Shape; D013499:Surface Properties; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes
keywords: Bending rigidity; Cholesterol; Fluctuation spectroscopy; Giant vesicles; Micropipette aspiration; Vesicle electrodeformation