Determination of the mechanical properties of DOPC:DOPS liposomes using an image procession algorithm and micropipette-aspiration techniques

Quantification of the mechanical properties of liposomes is critical in helping to predict their behavior during various applications such as targeted drug delivery, response to mechanical characterization or their interactions with isolated cytoskeletal elements. A numerical implementation of the Evans aspiration technique, and an image processing algorithm for measuring deformation of spherical DOPC:DOPS liposomes is presented. Liposomes were aspirated to pressures of −10 mmHg (∼−1300 Pa). The area expansion and Young's moduli of the liposomes were found to be 0.067 N m−1 (67 ± 4 dyn/cm) and 15 ± 1 MPa.