SHAPE INSTABILITIES IN THE DYNAMICS OF A 2-COMPONENT FLUID MEMBRANE

We study the shape dynamics of a two-component fluid membrane, using a dynamical triangulation Monte Carlo simulation and a Langevin descrip tion. Phase separation induces morphology changes depending on the lat eral mobility of the lipids. When the mobility is large, the familiar labyrinthine spinodal pattern is linearly unstable to undulation fluct uations and breaks up into buds, which move towards each other and mer ge. For low mobilities, the membrane responds elastically at short tim es, preferring to buckle locally, resulting in a crinkled surface.