Nanoscale chemical imaging of segregated lipid domains using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2011 Jun 7;13(21):9978-81. doi: 10.1039/c0cp02832k. Epub 2011 Mar 23.

Abstract

Lipid domains in supported lipid layers serve as a popular model to gain insight into the processes associated with the compartmentalization of biological membranes into so-called lipid rafts. In this paper, we present reproducible tip-enhanced Raman spectra originating from a very small number of molecules in a lipid monolayer on a gold surface, probed by the apex of a nanometer-sized silver tip. For the first time, we show large (128 × 128 pixels), high-resolution (< 50 nm) tip-enhanced Raman images of binary lipid mixtures with full spectral information at each pixel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / chemistry
  • Lipids / analysis*
  • Membrane Microdomains / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods*

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
  • Silver
  • 1,2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine