Biological Membranes: Structure, Biogenesis and Dynamics

1994 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Membranes

Electron Diffraction of Wet Biological Membranes

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 158-159
Author(s):  
S.W. Hui ◽  
D.F. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Electron Diffraction ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Electron Diffraction Technique ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
Collection Time ◽  
Camera Length

The development of the hydration stages for electron microscopes has opened up the application of electron diffraction in the study of biological membranes. Membrane specimen can now be observed without the artifacts introduced during drying, fixation and staining. The advantages of the electron diffraction technique, such as the abilities to observe small areas and thin specimens, to image and to screen impurities, to vary the camera length, and to reduce data collection time are fully utilized. Here we report our pioneering work in this area.

Observation of Concanavalin-A receptors on hydrated planar erythrocyte membrane film by in situ electron microscopy

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 608-609
Author(s):  
Neng-Bo He ◽  
S.W. Hui
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Lipid Membranes ◽  
Surface Film ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Black Lipid Membranes ◽  
Fine Mesh ◽  
Planar Films

Monolayers and planar "black" lipid membranes have been widely used as models for studying the structure and properties of biological membranes. Because of the lack of a suitable method to prepare these membranes for electron microscopic observation, their ultrastructure is so far not well understood. A method of forming molecular bilayers over the holes of fine mesh grids was developed by Hui et al. to study hydrated and unsupported lipid bilayers by electron diffraction, and to image phase separated domains by diffraction contrast. We now adapted the method of Pattus et al. of spreading biological membranes vesicles on the air-water interfaces to reconstitute biological membranes into unsupported planar films for electron microscopic study. hemoglobin-free human erythrocyte membrane stroma was prepared by hemolysis. The membranes were spreaded at 20°C on balanced salt solution in a Langmuir trough until a surface pressure of 20 dyne/cm was reached. The surface film was repeatedly washed by passing to adjacent troughs over shallow partitions (fig. 1).

The structure of biological membranes. Current status

1972 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Current Status
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