Confocal mapping of myelin figures with micro-Raman spectroscopy
Abstract
We employ confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy (CMRS) with submicron spatial resolution to study the myelin structures (cylindrical lamellae) composed of nested surfactant C12E3 or lipid DMPC bilayers. The CMRS mapping indicates that for a straight C12E3 myelin, the surfactant concentration increases with the myelin width and is higher in the center region than in the peripheral region. For a curved C12E3 myelin, the convex side has a higher surfactant concentration than the corresponding concave side. The spectrum of DMPC myelins undergoes a qualitative change as the temperature increases above 60 °C, suggesting that the surfactant molecules may be damaged. Our work demonstrates the utility of CMRS in bio-soft material research.
- Publication:
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Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing
- Pub Date:
- January 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s00339-017-1450-z
- Bibcode:
- 2018ApPhA.124...58H