Reorganization of lipid domains in model membranes under deformation

We describe a microfluidic approach to exploring the effects that forces have on the lipid membranes. In this work, up to 60 giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are spatially confined individually using trapping posts in an array of micro-chambers. A second layer situated above the posts contains micro-stamps which can be hydraulically actuated and hence, deform the vesicles below. Specifically, GUVs with phase-separated lipids are trapped and deformed to study the effects of increased tension on these domains. We use confocal laser scanning microscopy to image the GUVs and show that upon an increase in tension budding of the liquid disordered phase occurs as well as a change in the lateral positioning of the domains.