The interactions between xenon and DMPC/DHPC bicelles (q = 3.5%,7.5% w/v) were studied via H-2 Xe-129, Xe-131, and optically enhanced Xe-129 NMR. The chemical shifts, linewidths, and quadrupolar couplings of the xenon/bicelle NMR signals were correlated with different regions of the bicellar phase diagram. The addition of xenon (< 70 mM) was observed to reduce the temperature-onset of bicelle alignment by several degrees, in quantitative agreement with effects previously observed with chloroform; however, the stable liquid-crystalline range was not significantly reduced. Preliminary laser-polarized xenon/bicelle studies yielded Xe-129 T-1 values of similar to 120 s, long enough to permit a variety of planned experiments. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.