Heterogeneity and deformation behavior of lipid vesicles

Recent studies on the deformation of lipid vesicles which is a simple model of biological membranes, and the factors that influence it are reviewed. In homogeneous vesicles, the deformation from spherical to various shapes was observed by adjusting the temperature and the osmotic pressure. This is mainly explained by a balance between the bending elasticity and the area difference energy. In phase separated vesicles, the effect of line tension makes a significant contribution to the deformation. In addition, asymmetric distribution of lipid molecules in bilayers caused by lipid sorting determines deformation behaviors including budding, pore, tube, adhesion, and self-reproduction. The change in membrane curvature due to shielding of lipid charges by electrolytes, proteins, peptides, and solid nanoparticles was also reviewed.