title: Electroformation of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles on Stainless Steel Electrodes.
abstract: Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are well-established model systems for studying membrane structure and dynamics. Electroformation, also referred to as electroswelling, is one of the most prevalent methods for producing GUVs, as it enables modulation of the lipid hydration process to form relatively monodisperse, defect-free vesicles. Currently, however, it is expensive and time-consuming compared with other methods. In this study, we demonstrate that 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine GUVs can be prepared readily at a fraction of the cost on stainless steel electrodes, such as commercially available syringe needles, without any evidence of lipid oxidation or hydrolysis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford , Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pereno
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.; Mechatronics and Bioengineering Science Research Groups, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ Southampton, U.K.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carugo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford , Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bau
authors.affiliation: Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, MRC Human Immunology Unit, University of Oxford , Oxford OX3 9DS, U.K.
authors.forename: Erdinc
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sezgin
authors.affiliation: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Research Complex at Harwell , Harwell-Oxford, Didcot OX11 0FA, U.K.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernardino de la Serna
authors.affiliation: Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, MRC Human Immunology Unit, University of Oxford , Oxford OX3 9DS, U.K.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eggeling
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford , Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stride