Plasma irradiation of artificial cell membrane system at solid-liquid interface

Abstract

We provide direct evidence of plasma-induced pore formation in a cell membrane model system. We irradiated plasma on the basis of the dielectric barrier discharge onto a supported lipid bilayer (SLB). Observation with a fluorescence microscope and atomic force microscope revealed the formation of pores on the order of 10nm-1 μm in size. Capturing these micropores in a fluid lipid membrane is a significant advantage of the SLB system, and quantitative analysis of the pores was performed. Stimulation with equilibrium chemicals (HNO3 and H2O2) indicated that other transient active species play critical roles during the poration in the SLB. © 2014 The Japan Society of Applied Physics.