Time-resolved Laurdan fluorescence reveals insights into membrane viscosity and hydration levels

Membrane viscosity and hydration levels characterize the biophysical properties of biological membranes and are reflected in the rate and extent of solvent relaxation, respectively, of environmentally sensitive fluorophores such as Laurdan. Here we first developed a method for a time-resolved General Polarization (GP) analysis with fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) that captures both the extent and rate of Laurdan solvent relaxation. We then conducted time-resolved GP measurements with Laurdan-stained model membranes and cell membranes.

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