Lateral organization in mixed lipid bilayers supported on a geometrically patterned substrate

The organization of lipids in biological membranes is essential for cellular functions such as signal transduction and membrane trafficking. A major challenge is how to control lateral lipid composition in supported membranes which are crucial for the design of biosensors and investigation of cellular processes. Here, we undertake the first theoretical study of lateral organization of mixed lipids in bilayers induced by a geometrically patterned substrate, and examine the physical mechanism of patterned substrate-induced structural formation in the supported lipid bilayers. A rich variety of composition segregations of lipids are regulated, and the results can account well for most recent experimental works [Yoon, T. Y. et al. $\mathit{\text{Nat.}}\mathit{\text{Mater.}}$ $\mathbf{\text{5}}$, 281(2006) and Parthasarathy, R. et al. $\mathit{\text{Langmuir}}$ $\mathbf{\text{22}}$, 5095(2006)]. The present study provides a comprehensive understanding of mechanically controlling the spatial organization of membrane components by unifying these experimental evidences.