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

该建议旨在研究在电极表面形成的磷脂双层的物理化学性质，使用强大的原位红外光谱技术。脂质双层是生物细胞膜的特别有吸引力的模型，拟议的研究将提供对脂质膜的结构和组织的定量了解，可用于研究蛋白质的结合和功能以及制造生物传感器。该项目的战略是从简单的模型向更复杂和生理现实的系统发展。其实质是结合电场的控制和同时获取分子水平上的结构信息来探测仿生薄膜。电场通过改变施加到电极的电势来控制，并且其强度与生物膜所经历的强度相当。以下关键问题将得到解决：脂质头基的膜的分子包装的影响，施加的电场对膜的组织和蛋白质结合在膜上的结构效应的影响。

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.