Structure and dynamics of membrane lipids and proteins and their interactions

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Static solid state NMR takes advantage of the restricted molecular mobility within biological membranes to obtain detailed structural and dynamical information about the molecules which make up the membrane. Since the field of solid state NMR applied to biomolecular solids and membranes is still in its infancy, much of the research program is directed towards development of new insights, as well as new methods and approaches. This proposal describes a broad approach to understanding molecular organization, molecular dynamics and molecular structure of membranes. Two principle questions are addressed: the first deals with the existence and properties of membrane rafts (regions of fluid-fluid phase coexistence) and the second with membrane peptide and protein structure and dynamics. These two questions are intimately related since an understanding of the phase equilibria and molecular dynamics within the membrane will make it possible to design optimal NMR experiments for structural studies of membrane proteins. The roles of cholesterol and polyunsaturated lipids in defining the properties of membranes are also addressed.