Regensburg 2016 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 57: Membranes and Vesicles I

BP 57.9: Talk

Thursday, March 10, 2016, 12:15–12:30, H43

Developing of biomimetic model-membranes to investigate transport processes via X-ray and neutron reflectometry — •Irena Kiesel, Yuri Gerelli, and Giovanna Fragneto — Institut Laue Langevin, Grenoble, France

Transport processes through membranes are fundamental for the biological function of cells in living organisms. To investigate these processes, e.g. transport of drugs into cells, it is necessary to build a reproducible and stable model membrane system, accessible for analytical methods. Typically, model membranes are created as solid-supported lipid bilayers, as they are feasible for surface-sensitive techniques as X-ray- or neutron reflectivity (XRR, NR). In order to allow the penetration of guest molecules through membranes, it is necessary to use a highly hydrated spacer (e.g. polymer brushes). Furthermore, natural membranes are composed by several different saturated and unsaturated lipid species, which is in contrast to normally used model systems, using one or few comercially availible lipid species. Extracted lipids from Pichia pastoris yeast are used here in order to model a more natural mimicking membrane. The availability of natural extracts in both hydrogenated and deuterated forms allow the use of the so-called contrast variation method with neutrons. The aim of this project is to create reproducible, stable and tethered model membranes with natural extracted lipids to mimic real membranes and to allow the investigation of transport processes through this membrane. First reults from XRR, NR and other methods (AFM, fluorescence microscopy, QCM) will be presented.