Phase transitions in membrane-derivatized colloids

COLL 419

Jay T. Groves, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
Two dimensional dispersions of lipid membrane derivatized silica beads exhibit colloidal phase transitions that are governed by membrane surface interactions. The collective phase behavior serves as a cooperative amplifier that produces a readily detectable response from small perturbations of the membrane surface. Using direct optical imaging, we observe multiple near-equilibrium phases and resolve transitions induced by molecular events on the membrane surface.