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Introduction and Motivation
Our goal is to develop techniques to create artificial
macromoluclar membranes and determine their structure and physical properties
on the molecular length scale. Our studies are multi-disciplinary encompassing the following areas:
Surface Chemistry
By mimicking biomineralization and recognition
processes, adsorption and crystallization of unique monomolecular
membranes can be formed from solutions.
Low Dimensional Physics
Membranes at aqueous surfaces are highly two-dimensional
systems that can be used as model systems to shed light on theoretical
models.
Biological Systems
The physical and structural properties of lipid
and protein membranes can be related to their function in living organisms.
Approach
Apply in-situ X-ray and neutron scattering techniques,
reflectivity and diffraction at grazing angles of incidence (GIXD)
to Langmuir Monolayers.
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Schematic view of a cell membrane. Membranes of all living
cells and organelles within cells consist of lipid bilayers interpenetrated
with specifics surface proteins,
cholesterol,
and other organic compounds
that combine to give functional macromolecules that determine transport
of matter and energy through them. Although many crsytallographic
studies were dedicated to intra-cellular proteins, very little structural
research about surface proteins was conducted because they
do not form 3D crystals readily. Surface proteins are more likely
to form 2D crystals at aqueous surfaces. |
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