Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are well-established model systems for
studying membrane structure and dynamics. Electroformation, also referred to as
electroswelling, is one of the most prevalent methods for producing GUVs, as it enables
modulation of the lipid hydration process to form relatively monodisperse, defect-free
vesicles. Currently, however, it is expensive and time-consuming compared with other
methods. In this study, we demonstrate that 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine GUVs can be prepared readily at a fraction of the cost on stainless steel electrodes,
such as commercially available syringe needles, without any evidence of lipid oxidation
or hydrolysis.