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Cell-membrane mechanics

Vesicles in and tubes out

Living cells regulate their area through active mechanisms, which often lead to the fusion and fission of lipid vesicles. It is now found that bilayers adhered to elastic substrates can also adjust their area passively, in response to applied lateral strains.

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Figure 1: Passive membrane-area regulation in response to lateral strain.
Figure 2: The process of blebbing.

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Correspondence to Marileen Dogterom.

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Dogterom, M., Koenderink, G. Vesicles in and tubes out. Nature Mater 10, 561–562 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat3081

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