Published October 7, 2025
| Version 3
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Dimensions, stability, and deformability of DOPC-cholesterol giant unilamellar vesicles formed by droplet transfer
Authors/Creators
- 1. The BioRobotics Institute, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Tuscany, 56127, Italy
- 2. Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Lazio, 00185, Italy
Description
Cell membranes play a key role in the overall functioning of cells and their environmental interactions. For a better understanding of their mechanisms, a common tool is represented by Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs). These micrometric vesicles are produced through the supramolecular assembly of phospholipids, the main molecule of cell membranes, and used to explore basic biological processes, build synthetic cells, and even design microrobots. Here we study the effects that cholesterol, a key component of natural cell membranes, has on GUVs' membrane properties. While these can vary with the production method and the types of lipids, in this study we focus on one of the most widely adopted methods (known as droplet transfer) and one of the most common phospholipids (dioleoylphosphatidylcholine or DOPC). Our results suggest that the effect of cholesterol on the size and stability of GUVs depends on its concentration, while their flexibility seems not to be affected. By exploring these properties, we aim to deepen our understanding of cell membranes and improve the design of synthetic systems for future applications.
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