The impact of metals and metal based nanoparticles on model membranes and complex biological systems

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My long-term research focus is on the role of lipids in the structure and function of biological membranes. This proposal aims at understanding how external binding partners modulate the structure and function of biomembranes. More specifically, the impact of environmental pollutants on key factors like membrane fluidity and permeability will be addressed.Using state-of-the-art biophysical methods, the interactions of model lipid membranes with toxic heavy metals cadmium, mercury and lead with be characterized. The studies will also include transition metals cobalt, nickel, copper and manganese. Moreover, metal mixtures will be examined as biological systems are usually exposed to more than one metal at a time, and metal combinations can have stronger effects. The broad screen of lipid classes varying in structure and side chain composition provides a database allowing the analysis results from complex membrane extracts, intact biomemebranes and organelles.Considering that metal nanoparticles are increasingly released into the environment and taken up by the lungs, their impact on lung surfactant models will be assessed as well. Finally, the results obtained from mimetic systems will be used to design experiments involving complex biological membrane extracts, organelles, and blood cells, which are a primary metal target in the bloodstream.This work will help to better understand the mechanisms of metal toxicity by identifying lipids that are targeted in biomembranes. Moreover, the assessment of metal nanoparticles is of utmost relevance as insufficient data still limits our understanding of nanotoxicology. Ultimately, the outcomes of these investigations will advance our knowledge on disease mechanisms and will help to improve treatments and prevention strategies. In addition, it will aid in the establishment of effective handling guidelines for nanoparticle production.