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Science 29 September 2006:
Vol. 313. no. 5795, p. 1849
DOI: 10.1126/science.313.5795.1849c
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Lateral heterogeneity in lipid bilayers can be difficult to assay at the length scale near 100 nanometers that has been associated with structures such as lipid rafts. Scanning probe methods provide sufficient spatial resolution but limited information on composition, and optical methods often have limited spatial resolution or introduce dye groups that may perturb the partitioning of lipid components. Kraft et al. (p. 1948; see the Perspective by Groves) have used a high-resolution, secondary-ion mass spectrometry probe and isotopic labeling to study supported bilayers of an equal mixture of DLPC (dilauroylphosphatidylcholine) and DSPC (distearoylphosphatidylcholine), which phase-separates at room temperature into a fluid phase and a gel phase. They identified variations in the gel-phase composition that may arise from small regions of trapped fluid phase.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)