Impact of ligand-protected gold nanoclusters on liposomal morphology: fission to semi-gel formation in aqueous medium

6-Aza-2-thiothymine (ATT)-protected gold nanoclusters (ATT-AuNCs) trigger controlled liposomal fission or transformation from fibrils to a semi-lipid gel depending on the presence or absence of cholesterol in the lipid membrane. Interactions between the ligand-protected AuNCs and the liposomes were found to be electrostatic or through hydrogen bonding or both, synchronized to the physical environment.