Azobenzene photoisomerization probes cell membrane viscosity
Arianna Magni, Gaia Bondelli, Giuseppe M. Paternò, Samim Sardar, Valentina Sesti, Cosimo D’Andrea, Chiara Bertarelli, Guglielmo Lanzani
Abstract
bacteria suspensions correctly indicate that the membrane viscosity decreases as the temperature of the sample increases. Given the non-homogeneity and the anisotropy of cell membranes, as supported by the photophysical characterization of the probe within the lipid bilayer, we shed new light on the intricate membrane rheology.
Topics & Concepts
MembranePhotoisomerizationAzobenzeneMicroviscosityViscometerViscosityRheologyFluorescence anisotropyChemistryLipid bilayerBilayerMaterials scienceMoleculeOrganic chemistryBiochemistryCatalysisIsomerizationComposite materialLipid Membrane Structure and BehaviorPhotoreceptor and optogenetics researchRNA Interference and Gene Delivery