Adhesion, Deformation, and Fusion of Monolayers, Bilayers, and Membranes

在第一阶段（两年）的研究中，利用新型电子显微镜和表面力测量研究了不同的双层间力和双层流动性对粘附和融合双层分子尺度变形的作用。这些实验确定了疏水力在粘附和融合中的特别重要的作用。在这个后续项目中，进一步提出研究疏水，硬脂酸和离子相互作用如何在分子水平上运作。研究了与疏水力和附着力相关的各种时间依赖性效应。使用脂质混合物和脂质-蛋白膜。融合诱导蛋白的作用，如联连蛋白，进行了探讨。表面力装置将与各种电子、扫描隧道和原子力显微镜技术并行使用。这些结果将在以下方面具有重要意义：(i)发展直接研究真实生物膜和其他生物大分子相互作用的能力；（ii）在生物技术过程中能够控制囊泡、脂质体和生物细胞粘附或融合的化学品和工艺的发展；(3)表面活性剂作为分散剂在浮选、泡沫和乳液中的有效性。

In the first (two-year) research period, the roles of different interbilayer forces and bilayer fluidity on the molecular-scale deformations of adhering and fusing bilayer using novel electron microscopy and surface force measurements have been studied. These experiments identified a particularly important role for hydrophobic forces in adhesion and fusion. In this follow-up project, it is further proposed to study how hydrophobic, stearic, and ionic interactions operate at the molecular level. Various time-dependent effects associated with hydrophobic forces and adhesion are investigated. Lipid mixtures and lipid-protein membranes are used. The effects of fusion-inducing proteins, such as Synexin, are probed. The Surface Forces Apparatus will be used in parallel with a variety of Electron, scanning Tunneling, and Atomic Force Microscopy techniques. The results will be important in (i) developing the capability to directly study the interactions of real biological membranes and of other biological macromolecule; (ii) the development of chemicals and processes which can control adhesion or fusion of vesicles, liposomes, and biological cells in biotechnological processes; and (iii) the effectiveness of surfactant as dispersant, in flotation, in foams, and in emulsions.