Electrofusion of giant unilamellar vesicles to cells

Dikla Raz-Ben Aroush, Shlomit Yehudai-Resheff, Kinneret Keren

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

We describe a method for electroporation-induced fusion of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with the plasma membrane of adherent cells. Using this method, the area of the cell membrane can be abruptly increased and various lipids can be introduced into the membrane. The process involves two steps: (1) the formation of GUVs with controlled membrane composition and (2) electrofusion of the GUVs to living cells using an electroporator for adherent cells. We demonstrate the technique on fish epithelial keratocytes and human foreskin fibroblasts, and discuss the influence of the composition of the GUVs on the fusion process.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiophysical Methods in Cell Biology
EditorsEwa Paluch
Chapter22
Pages409-422
Number of pages14
Volume125
ISBN (Electronic)9780128013267
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Publication series

NameMethods in Cell Biology
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.

Keywords

  • Cell biomechanics
  • Cell membrane
  • Cell motility
  • Electrofusion
  • Giant vesicles
  • Membrane area

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cell Biology

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