Voltage breakdown measurement of planar lipid bilayer mixtures

Abstract

Electroporation is characterized by a formation of structural changes within the cell membrane, which are caused by the presence of electric field. It is stipulated that pores are mostly formed by rearranging of lipid molecules in lipid bilayer structure; if so, planar lipid bilayer is a good model for experimental and theoretical studies. In this study three different mixtures POPC, POPC + 1μM C12E8 and POPS:POPC (3:7) of lipid molecules where used to form planar lipid bilayers. Their breakdown voltage was measured by means of linear rising signal. The results of this study confirmed our expectations. At almost all slopes of linear rising volatge signal significant difference in voltage breakdown was found between POPC and POPC + 1μM C12E8 planar lipid bilayers, while Ubr of POPC and POPS:POPC (3:7) planar lipid bilayers did not differ significantly.