(11b) Novel Technique for the Study of Interfacial Curvature Effects on Monolayer Phase Behavior and Morphology

In order to treat pulmonary diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a better understanding of the behavior of lung surfactant (LS) on high curvature surfaces is required to better mimic alveolar sizes and shapes. The phase behavior can be controlled by carefully manipulating LS composition and its effect on surface properties such as dilatational modulus will be important in devising an effective treatment for ARDS.

A novel technique was developed to visualize lipid phase behavior while performing surface oscillations on high curvature interfaces. A capillary pressure microtensiometer was modified to function with fast confocal microscopy, allowing for the visualization of the lipid domains during expansion and compression of the bubble. Further modifications to the solvent exchange system allow for the adsorption of arbitrary lipid compositions to the capillary bubble surface. This will also be useful in studying the effects of inflammation products incorporated into the LS because of ARDS, such as fibrinogen and albumin.