Investigation of lipid membrane macro- and micro-structure using calorimetry and computer simulation: Structural and functional relationships

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The lipid bilayer part of biological membranes is a complex lipid mixture displaying cooperative phenomena. By means of differential scanning calorimetry and computer simulation techniques, the equilibrium and non-equilibrium properties of the large assembly of mutually interacting amphiphilic lipid molecules constituting the lipid bilayer have been investigated. The cooperative many-particle lipid bilayer behavior is manifested in terms of phase transitions and large-scale macroscopic phase equilibria. On a smaller nanometer length-scale, equilibrium structural and compositional fluctuations lead to the formation of a heterogeneous lateral bilayer structure composed of dynamic lipid domains and differentiated bilayer regions. In addition, the non-equilibrium dynamic ordering process of coexisting phases can give rise to the formation of local lipid structures on various length- and time-scales. The results suggest that the structural and dynamical lipid bilayer behavior and in particular the appearance of small-scale lipid structures might be of importance for membrane functionality, e.g., membrane compartmentalization, trans-membrane permeability, and the activity of membrane-associated enzymes and proteins.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThermochimica Acta
Volume328
Issue number1-2
Pages (from-to)81-89
Number of pages9
ISSN0040-6031
Publication statusPublished - 22 Mar 1999

    Research areas

  • Differential scanning calorimetry, Lipid bilayer, Lipid domain, Membrane function, Micro-structure, Phase equilibria, Phase transition

ID: 236895304