|
We are embarking on a
study of membranes composed of mixtures of phospholipids,
sphingolipids and cholesterol, using X-ray and neutron
scattering. These serve as model systems for studying the
complex processes that go on in biomembranes, such as
self-assembly, raft formation, membrane-protein interactions,
etc.
The structure and
conformation of these systems will be probed as a function of
concentration to examine the conditions under which nano phase
separation which leads to raft formation occurs, and the size
and structure of the phase separated regions will be probed with
X-ray grazing incidence scattering. We plan to study the
structural effects of incorporation of external macromolecules,
such as proteins, in the lipid membranes.
The dynamical
fluctuations of these membranes will be studied with
X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy,
in a manner similar to that with which we have been
investigating the dynamics of polymer films, and grazing
incidence neutron spin-echo experiments. From these
measurements, we plan to study the behavior of the viscosity,
surface tension and bending moduli as a function of membrane
composition, the nature of the underlying substrates on which
the membranes are deposited, etc.
Our group will work
collaboratively with groups at U. C. Davis, Northern Illinois
University, Argonne National Laboratory and Sogang University in
Seoul. |
