Abstract
We have studied the pearling instability induced on hollow tubular
lipid vesicles by hydrophilic polymers with hydrophobic side groups
along the backbone. The results show that the polymer concentration
is coupled to local membrane curvature. The relaxation of a pearled
tube is characterized by two different well-separated time scales,
indicating two physical mechanisms. We present a model, which explains
the observed phenomena and predicts polymer segregation according
to local membrane curvature at late stages.
Users
Please
log in to take part in the discussion (add own reviews or comments).