Collapse of a lipid-coated nanobubble and subsequent liposome formation.
We investigate the collapse of a lipid-coated nanobubble and subsequent formation of a lipid vesicle by coarse grained molecular dynamics simulations. A spherical nanobubble coated with a phospholipid monolayer in water is a model of an aqueous dispersion of phospholipids under negative pressure during sonication. When subjected to a positive pressure, the bubble shape deforms into an irregular spherical shape and the monolayer starts to buckle and fold locally. The local folds grow rapidly in multiple directions and forming a discoidal membrane with folds of various amplitudes. Folds of small amplitude disappear in due course and the membrane develops into a unilamellar vesicle via a bowl shape. Folds with large amplitude develop into a bowl shape and a multivesicular shape forms. The membrane shape due to bubble collapse can be an important factor governing the vesicular shape during sonication.
Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka 560-8531, Japan.
Kenichiro
K
Koshiyama
Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka 560-8531, Japan.
Shigeo
S
Wada
D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D011312:Pressure; D013010:Sonication
D008081:Liposomes; D010743:Phospholipids