The Effects of Concentration and Temperature on Vesicle Adsorption and Bilayer Formation

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are pursued as thin surface coatings and as model systems in which to study membrane-bound processes. We investigate the adsorption of small unilamellar phospholipid vesicles onto glass and the subsequent formation of planar SLBs using temperature-controlled, time-resolved fluorescence microscopy. We report the effects of vesicle concentration and temperature on the time course of lipid adsorption. Our results suggest that isolated vesicle rupture is a rare event and that bilayer edge plays a key role in SLB formation. It enhances vesicle-surface affinity and promotes further rupture.