A simple mechanism of raft formation in two-component fluid membranes

We present a simple model of two-component fluid membranes undergoing simultaneously a phase separation and permanent exchange of lipids with the surrounding medium. The balance of these two effects leads to the formation of stable domains of particular lipid composition. The characteristic size of the domains is controlled by the exchange rates of the lipids. This provides a simple mechanism for raft formation in out-of-equilibrium binary fluid membrane.