From discoid micelles to spherical vesicles. The concept of edge activity

摘要: The edge energy of a lipid bilayer is considered to be the crucial parameter controlling formation closed vesicles. It modulated by amphiphiles accumulating at as described Gibbs isotherm. approach tested for system egg-lecithin – taurochenodesoxycholate. parameters entered into Gibbs' isotherm are determined dynamic light scattering in regime mixed micelles (vanishing tension). Adjustment an appropriate finite tension then leads discovery metastable discs after sonication which close vesicles spontaneously. This disc–vesicle transition observed electron microscopy. terms phenomenological potential profile. Estimates intrinsic and elastic modulus open obtained.