Interactions of Bio-Polymers and Lipids in Layered Structures

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Helmuth Möhwald (†)
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2001 to 2005
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5297312

The interaction of phospholipids with polyelectrolytes and glycosidic polymers, both of biological origin, shall be investigated for layered systems. For amphiphile monolayers structural studies with concern the lipid arrangement in monolayers studied by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. The polymer arrangement shall be investigated by ellipsometry, X-ray and Neutron reflectivity. The coupling shall be studied by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy with vesicles and coated colloids. Lateral diffusion of lipids will be investigated by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. NMR techniques will also be employed to investigate the swelling of films and the fraction of water in the film as well a between film and lipid head groups. Of special interest will be the relation between coupling and dynamics, so1/gel transitions of polyelectrolytes and glycosidic polymers and their importance for modulation or ligand binding. Altogether the project aims at understanding the relation between structure and dynamics in coupled lipid/polymer systems and its relevance for biophysics and -chemistry.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Gerald Brezesinski; Professorin Dr. Monika Schönhoff