Self-Organisation of Phospholipid Films on Au Electrodes Studied with In Situ Infrared Spectroscopy

这项提议试图利用强大的原位红外光谱技术来研究在电极表面形成的磷脂双层的物理化学性质。脂质双层是生物细胞膜特别有吸引力的模型，所提出的研究将使人们对脂膜的结构和组织有一个定量的了解，这可以用于研究蛋白质的结合和功能以及制造生物传感器。这个项目的战略是从简单的模型发展到更复杂和生理上更现实的系统。它的本质是电场的控制和分子水平上结构信息的同步获取相结合来探测仿生薄膜。电场是通过改变施加在电极上的电势来控制的，其强度与生物膜所经历的电场强度相当。将讨论以下关键问题：脂头基团对膜分子堆积的影响、外加电场对膜组织的影响以及膜上蛋白质结合的结构效应。

This proposal seeks to investigate the physicochemical properties of phospholipid bilayers formed at electrode surfaces, using powerful in situ infrared spectroscopic techniques. Lipid bilayers are particularly attractive models for biological cell membranes and the proposed research will provide a quantitative understanding of the structure and organisation of lipid films, which can be exploited to study binding and function of proteins and to manufacture biosensors. The strategy of this project is to progress from simple models towards more complex and physiologically realistic systems. Its essence is the combination of the control of an electric field and the simultaneous acquisition of structural information at the molecular level to probe biomimetic films. The electric field is controlled by varying the potential applied to the electrode and is of intensity comparable with those experienced by biological membranes. The following key issues will be addressed: the effect of lipid headgroup on molecular packing of the films, the influence of the applied electric field on the organisation of the films and the structural effect of protein binding on the membrane.