1. Tuning lipid mixtures to induce or suppress domain formation across leaflets of unsupported asymmetric bilayers Marcus D. Collins and Sarah L. Keller

2. Background Lipid bilayers are composed of two leaflets Lipids of the leaflets may separate into domains (grouping of lipid types) Domain formation is dependent on the types of lipids present Domain formation in one leaflet may induce or suppress domain formation in its partner leaflet.

3. Lipid Domains

4. Experiment Procedure Created 4 types of artificial leaflets: A, B, C and inner –Three different lipids were used –leaflets differ in lipid type percentages. Comp A: uniformComp C: domains Comp B: domainsInner: uniform Bilayers were created in every combination of leaflet type Induction or suppression of domain formation was determined.

5. Results B induces domains in A A suppresses domains in C B induces domains in Inner Inner suppresses domains in C

6. Conclusions and Further Research Different types of lipids have different affinities towards domain formation Test the effects of obstacles within the leaflet. Model lipid domain formation.