Avanti’s Extruder for LUV Preparation

Mini-Extruder
The Avanti Mini-Extruder allows researchers and scientists to prepare large, unilamellar
vesicles by extrusion in an efficient, rapid manner. The optional heating block allows the
extrusion of unilamellar vesicles at elevated temperatures, which is critical for the successful
production of vesicles from phospholipids with a phase transition temperature (Tm) above
room temperature. Constructed of stainless steel and Teflon, the new design eliminates the
old-style metal washers that were prone to rust, thereby removing potential contamination
problems. The design allows rapid cleaning of all wetted parts, which reduces the “down-
time” between production of vesicles from different lipid species. The Mini-Extruder is avail-
able for a fraction of the cost of a larger extruder.
All parts for the Mini-Extruder are available from Avanti, and the set includes: Mini-Extruder,
Extruder Stand/Stabilizer Block, 2 O-Rings, 2 Gas Tight Syringes, 100 Polycarbonate Mem-
branes, and 100 Filter Supports.

The particle size distribution of

unilamellar vesicles prepared by
extrusion is a function of the num-
ber of passes through the Extruder
Membrane. Hydrated lipid solu-
tions will initially form large, multi-
lamellar vesicles. After the initial
pass through a membrane, the
particle size distribution will tend
towards a bimodal distribution.
After sufficient passes through
the membrane, a unimodal, nor-
mal distribution is obtained. A
minimum of eleven passes through
the Extruder membrane is recom-
Placing the Stabilizer block-extruder as- mended for most lipids.The particle
sembly on a hot plate achieves rapid size information in Figure 2 was
temperature control for lipids that have obtained with a Coulter N4 Plus
transition temperatures above room tem- submicron particle size analyzer.
perature. The particle size analyzer was controlled through a PC using the
N4 Plus software package. The Coulter Particle Characterization
For information on pricing, Syringe Division may be contacted at (800) 338-8830.
sizes and the extensive selection A solution of 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine was
of Polycarbonate Membranes made up to 25 mg/ml in DI water. The particle size distribution
available visit avantilipids.com was measured for the material before extrusion and for 3 and 11
passes through a 100nm (0.1micron) membrane.
References
Subbarao, N.K., R.I. MacDonald, K. Takeshita, and R.C. MacDonald. (1991). Characteristics of spectrin-induced leakage
of extruded, phosphatidylserine vesicles. Biochim Biophys Acta 1063:147-54.
MacDonald, R.C., R.I. MacDonald, B.P. Menco, K. Takeshita, N.K. Subbarao, and L.R. Hu. (1991). Small-volume extrusion
apparatus for preparation of large, unilamellar vesicles. Biochim Biophys Acta 1061:297-303.

19 continued overleaf
 Liposome Preparation
Ultrasonic Cleaner
• SUV LIPOSOMES
AND MORE......
• CELL DISRUPTION
• SPLITTING DNA
• MAKING MICELLES
• MAKING DIFFICULT
EMULSIONS
• DISSOLVING PROBLEM MATERIALS

G112SP1 SPECIAL ULTRASONIC CLEANER designed by Dr. E. Racker of Cornell

University’s Biochemistry Department, specifically for making laboratory quantities
of liposomes. The instrument consists of a powerful rectangular generator and a
cylindrical tank with an electrical power vacuum tube. Liposomes are generated
in glass or plastic containers within minutes to a half hour, depending upon the
phospholipid. Material being sonicated can be kept in a sterile container, unlike
the probe units, or under an inert atmosphere. Also, with the probe sonicator,
titanium will slough off and contaminate your solution. Power to the tank is 80
KC, 80 watts. The generator is not solid state. Many laboratories that specialize
in gene transfection and liposome research use this sonicator.

Product Sold by Laboratory Supplies Company of New York

Contact Stan Berman:
Laboratory Supplies Company Inc.
29 Jefry Lane
Hicksville, NY 11801
Phone (516) 681‑7711
or visit: http://labsupplies.jimlemire.com/ultrasonic.html

Visit avantilipids.com for details and prices of our

selection of natural and synthetic lipids.
To order from Avanti® phone 800-227-0651,
Fax 800-229-1004, or Email orders@avantilipids.com