Phenomenological modeling for pore opening, closure and rupture of the GUV membrane

Abstract

In this paper, the pore opening and closure on the giant unilamellar vesicle GUV membrane are studied under different theoretical schemes. The opening process is considered as a dynamics process; while the closure process is considered as a quasi-static process. The opening criterion is set based on an energy release rate theory, similar to the Griffith theory for crack initiation. On the other hand, the closure process is described by a non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory. When the size of initial pore is smaller than a critical value, the pore is stable, and followed by the closure process. Otherwise, the pore is unstable, which leads to the rupture of the vesicle. © 2009 Imperial College Press.