Abstract
We present the first experimental evidence for the morphological transition from twisted to helical ribbons in amphiphile aggregates. This transition, from structures possessing negative Gaussian curvature to helically curved structures, is shown to be directly linked to ribbon width. Time-resolved cryotransmission electron microscopy images of a peptidomimetic amphiphile further capture the dynamic transformation between the two geometries along a single ribbon unit. Quantitative analysis indicates that both ribbon width and pitch grow with ribbon maturation, maintaining a constant ratio.
- Received 28 December 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.238105
© 2011 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Twist or twirl
Published 10 June 2011
Depending on their width, certain ribbon-forming biomolecules assume either twisted or spiral shapes.
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