Movie S2.

Transformation of two “connected” liposomes made of DOPE molecules (each containing 1,512 molecules) into a dumbell-like structure during a 100-ns CG-MD simulation. Outer leaflets of two liposomes were initially connected through a channel with a diameter of bilayer thickness to mimic an ordinary stalk structure. This point defect grew and resulted in disclinations at the meeting of two liposomes. The lipids in the connected outer leaflet migrated across two liposomes freely, while two inner leaflets remained separated (40).