Abstract

The formation and stability of transient pores in lipid membranes are critical phenomena in cellular processes, including electroporation, endocytosis, and membrane fusion. This study investigates the fundamental role of **lateral interactions** within the lipid bilayer in modulating the **kinetics of metastable pores**. Utilizing advanced computational methods, specifically coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical modeling based on the continuum elastic theory, we quantified the influence of local lipid organization on pore dynamics. Our primary objective was to determine how the energetic landscape of pore formation and closure is affected by the lateral pressure profile and lipid packing. Key findings demonstrate that increased lateral pressure significantly lowers the activation energy barrier for pore formation, leading to a substantial decrease in pore lifetime and an acceleration of the closure rate. This effect is attributed to the enhanced mechanical tension and altered curvature stress induced by the lateral forces. These results provide crucial insights into the physical principles governing membrane integrity and permeability, highlighting lateral interactions as a powerful regulatory mechanism for pore stability. This understanding is vital for optimizing applications such as targeted drug delivery and developing more accurate models of cellular membrane mechanics.