Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Immobilization of Giant Lipid Vesicles for AFM-based Biophysical Membrane Measurements
- Establish an experimental system for force-controlled measurements in between phospholipid bilayer membranes.
- Use microfabrication techniques to immobilize giant lipid vesicles on a surface.
- Use a combination of atomic force microscopy and microfluidics to bring giant lipid vesicles in contact
The phospholipid membrane surrounding cells is crucial for many biological processes, like signaling and transport. One important example for such a process is the transmission of a nerve signal over the synapse between to nerve cells. Here, a synaptic vesicle fuses with the membrane in order to release the neurotransmitter that will transmit the signal to the next cell (see figure 1).
However, this and many other processes involving membranes are poorly understood and especially the forces acting during those processes are barely investigated. This is due to a lack of appropriate techniques for their investigation. The aim of this project is to establish such a technique (see figure 2).
The technique consists on the one hand of immobilized giant unilamellar vesicles in microwells on the surface. On the other hand a vesicle is attached to an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever by suction through an integrated microchannel (FluidFM). By this combination, two lipid vesicles can be brought in force-controlled contact and can serve as a model for many biological processes.
The phospholipid membrane surrounding cells is crucial for many biological processes, like signaling and transport. One important example for such a process is the transmission of a nerve signal over the synapse between to nerve cells. Here, a synaptic vesicle fuses with the membrane in order to release the neurotransmitter that will transmit the signal to the next cell (see figure 1). However, this and many other processes involving membranes are poorly understood and especially the forces acting during those processes are barely investigated. This is due to a lack of appropriate techniques for their investigation. The aim of this project is to establish such a technique (see figure 2). The technique consists on the one hand of immobilized giant unilamellar vesicles in microwells on the surface. On the other hand a vesicle is attached to an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever by suction through an integrated microchannel (FluidFM). By this combination, two lipid vesicles can be brought in force-controlled contact and can serve as a model for many biological processes.
What you will learn and work on:
- Using microfabrication techniques to create microwells for the immobilization of lipid vesicles
- Formation of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) composed of various lipids
- Using FluidFM (a combination between atomic force microscopy and microfluidics) to bring two lipid membranes in contact
- Using (confocal) fluorescence microscopy to observe membrane fusion events
What you should bring:
- Motivation and independence
- Looking for a Bachelor, Master, semester project or internship
- No prior practical knowledge is required, all fields of studies are welcome
- Content and scope of the project can be adapted to your interests and requirements
What you will learn and work on: - Using microfabrication techniques to create microwells for the immobilization of lipid vesicles - Formation of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) composed of various lipids - Using FluidFM (a combination between atomic force microscopy and microfluidics) to bring two lipid membranes in contact - Using (confocal) fluorescence microscopy to observe membrane fusion events
What you should bring: - Motivation and independence - Looking for a Bachelor, Master, semester project or internship - No prior practical knowledge is required, all fields of studies are welcome - Content and scope of the project can be adapted to your interests and requirements
If you are interested in this project, please contact me directly by mail with your CV and motivation.
Ines Lüchtefeld, luechtefeld@biomed.ee.ethz.ch, lbb.ethz.ch
If you are interested in this project, please contact me directly by mail with your CV and motivation.