Magnetic-field-induced deformation of lipid membranes

The substantial effects of relatively low, steady magnetic fields less than 0.5 T up to high magnetic fields up to 30 T on the membrane potential and resistance of black lipid membranes of didodecyl phosphite and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) are presented. Also, the magnetic-field-induced fusion and division of DPPC liposomes are demonstrated. Such significant magnetoresponses should result in the magnetic orientation of the lipid molecules and associated undulation of the membranes. Thus, the addition to membranes of diamagnetic aromatics having a large magnetic anisotropy enhanced the magnetoresponses: larger changes in membrane potential and resistance and a lower shift of the onset magnetic-field, with abrupt changes in liposome sizes and membrane potential.