[70]Fullerenes Assist the Formation of Phospholipid Bicelles at Low Lipid Concentrations

Abstract

The incorporation of neutral [70]­fullerenes (C₇₀) led to bicelle formation in a relatively low lipid concentration range from neutral lipid mixtures (DMPC/DHPC). Furthermore, C₇₀ addition resulted in the formation of large bicelles with a radius of ca. 100 nm, in contrast to C₇₀-free bicelles that were formed from anionic lipid mixtures (DMPC/DHPC/DMPG). The stabilization of these bicelles was attributed to C₇₀ incorporation into the membranes