Structure at interfaces: applications in biology, nanotechnology & the atmosphere

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Surface interactions are ubiquitous in all aspects of life: the air-lung interface enables breathing; the cell surface governs whether drugs can interact with and penetrate bacterial membranes; the aerosol/particle surface governs cloud formation and the chemistry of reactions of pollutants; the surface of a material defines its functionality (e.g. biocompatibilty or ultrahydrophobicity). These are all controlled by weak, non-bonding interactions between molecules.Thus, knowledge of interfacial structure and the nature of interactions between surface-active components allows us to understand, predict and control interfacial processes. We have three main areas of research: First is the fundamental understanding of the biophysical nature of cellular processes and the role on interfacial lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions. We then use our knowledge of the lateral organization of lipid films and their specific binding properties for the design of functional materials, in particular nanopatterned films and coatings with biocompatible properties and/or the ability to tether specific protein substrates. Finally, knowledge of reactions at interfaces has led to our development of a new experimental approach for determining the contribution of surface reactions in the processing atmospheric aerosols. The changes in interfacial properties ultimately govern their participation in atmospheric processes such as the scattering and absorption of incoming solar radiation, and cloud formation. This will build on our recent progress in studying lipid raft formation in biological membranes, ozonolysis at surfaces and (nano)structured surfaces.This research will use state-of-the art structural surface chemistry techniques to address areas of key importance to health, the environment and the materials of everyday life.