New poly(amino acid methacrylate) brush supports the formation of well-defined lipid membranes.
A novel poly(amino acid methacrylate) brush comprising zwitterionic cysteine groups (PCysMA) was utilized as a support for lipid bilayers. The polymer brush provides a 12-nm-thick cushion between the underlying hard support and the aqueous phase. At neutral pH, the zeta potential of the PCysMA brush was ∼-10 mV. Cationic vesicles containing >25% DOTAP were found to form a homogeneous lipid bilayer, as determined by a combination of surface analytical techniques. The lipid mobility as measured by FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) gave diffusion coefficients of ∼1.5 μm(2) s(-1), which are comparable to those observed for lipid bilayers on glass substrates.
†Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
Anita C
AC
Blakeston
‡Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom.
Abdullah M
AM
Alswieleh
†Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
George R
GR
Heath
†Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
Johannes S
JS
Roth
†Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
Peng
P
Bao
‡Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom.
Nan
N
Cheng
‡Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom.
Steven P
SP
Armes
‡Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, United Kingdom.
Graham J
GJ
Leggett
†Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
Richard J
RJ
Bushby
†Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
Stephen D
SD
Evans
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C115766:poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl-phosphorylcholine); D010767:Phosphorylcholine; D003545:Cysteine