“…The study of the physical state of lipid assemblies is important for understanding biological processes occurring at membrane interfaces, such as catalysis, signal transduction, membrane rearrangements, etc. A wide range of techniques can be used for these studies, both for model and cellular membranes. − A very common approach is the use of fluorescence probes that are responsive to various membrane properties, like lateral or rotational diffusion, fluidity, hydration, and permeability. , The specific fluorescence technique to use (steady-state spectroscopy, lifetime measurement, anisotropy, or quenching) will depend on both the photophysics of the molecule and the phenomenon of interest. , LAURDAN is a fluorescent membrane probe that has a 6-dimethylamine-2-naphthalenyl core, belonging to the family of DAN fluorophores introduced by Gregorio Weber in the late 1970s . His original design included an electron donor and an electron acceptor group strategically positioned at opposite ends of the naphthalene ring.…”