Measuring Lipid Membrane Properties using a Mechanosensitive Fluorescence Probe

To measure the chemical-mechanic states of lipid membranes, once needs various tools, many of which being incompatible with cell biology protocols. Applying lessons from nature, we developed a mechanosensitive fluorescent probe, the twisted dithienothiophene. This push-pull probe, change planarization state in function of his environment, and we have taken full advantage of this mechano-probe potential and we calibrated based on membrane tension, fluidity and different lipid composition by measuring the push-pull fluorescence lifetime. Likewise, we are able to use this fluorescent probe on life cells, for visualize differences between organelles, as well as to distinguish lipids properties among cells cultured on classic plates or in extracellular matrix.