In this work, solubilization of the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) by the cationic detergent n-dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) was studied in aqueous solution, at a fixed DMPC concentration and variable detergent:lipid (D:L) molar ratios. The colloidal nanostructures present in different stages of the solubilization process were characterized using micro-differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. For total (analytical) D:L molar ratios below approximate to 1, DTAC monomers incorporate into the DMPC liposome bilayers, forming smaller and more fluid vesicles than pure DMPC liposomes. At D:L approximate to 1-2, vesicles begin to rupture, coexisting with intact vesicles and bilayer fragments. At D:L approximate to 2-12.5, discoidal and spherical micelles are formed and coexist with vesicles; a slow structural rearrangement of the system, monitored in successive DSC heating/cooling cycles, was observed, and is reported for the first time. Finally, for D:L above approximate to 15-20, the bilayers are completely dissolved, and the main aggregates in solution become spherical micelles, which slowly evolve to cylindrical (threadlike) micelles. Based on the dependence of the temperature and enthalpy of transitions on the total D:L molar ratio, at constant DMPC concentration, a schematic model, showing the different colloidal nanostructures present in the solubilization process, is proposed. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.