Effect of Humidity on Liquid-Crystalline Myelin Figure Growth Using Digital Holographic Microscopy

Abstract

Dynamics of liquid-crystalline Myelin Figures (MFs) is a multifaceted issue depending on various elements, which have not been fully resolved yet. Our experimental results show that degree of humidity is influential on the initial growth and dynamics of MFs - a factor that was not been carefully considered on MF formations. In this paper, we present a systematic experimental study on the effect of humidity on MF dynamics. Quantitative analysis of MF dynamical behavior was performed using digital holographic microscopy (DHM). Our study reveals that humidifying the initial lipid reservoir has reverse effect on the rate of the growth to the extent that complete saturation of the lipid source prevents MF growth. The phenomenon is explained by the role of hydration gradient during MF formation.