Liposome permeability probed by laser light scattering

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education : a Bimonthly Publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Todd P Silverstein, J Charles Williamson

Abstract

We have developed a laboratory project in which students prepare liposomes, expose them to hyperosmotic and hypoosmotic solutions, and follow the resulting shrinking and swelling (respectively) with laser light scattering. Each light intensity transient can be fit to an exponential decline or rise, with the decay constant (k) and the amplitude (ΔVmax ) being indirectly related to the kinetics and thermodynamics (respectively) of transmembrane osmotic flux. Students vary the experimental system by changing the types and concentrations of osmolytes such as alcohols, amides, and salts. Students then compare how these changes alter the rate and extent of osmotic flux. This upper division biochemistry laboratory project is a challenging and rewarding one that exposes students to a biomolecule (lipid) and a spectroscopic technique (laser spectroscopy) that are not commonly used in the undergraduate laboratory setting. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(3):239-246, 2019.

References

Apr 1, 1976·Journal of Chemical Education·R Bittman, L Blau
Apr 1, 1974·Chemistry and Physics of Lipids·S E Schullery, J P Garzaniti
Jan 1, 1980·Annual Review of Biophysics and Bioengineering·F Szoka, D Papahadjopoulos
Sep 29, 2011·Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education : a Bimonthly Publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·L M BredestonJ M Delfino
Nov 13, 2015·Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education : a Bimonthly Publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·Paul M M WeersElke M Lohmeier-Vogel

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