Brüning, B.; Rheinstädter, M.C.; Hiess, A.; Weinhausen, B.; Reusch, T.; Aeffner, S.; Salditt, T.: The influence of cholesterol on the collective dynamics of the phospholipid acyl chains in model membranes. In: Cicognani, G. [u.a.] [Eds.] : Annual report 2010 - Institut Max von Laue, Paul LangevinGrenoble: ILL, 2011 (Neutrons for science), p. 60-61
Abstract:
An important goal in biophysics is to understand the structural, dynamical and functional properties of membranes. Binary lipid membranes serve as simple model systems to understand their far more complex biological counterparts. Cellular membranes are highly enriched in cholesterol and their behaviour – in terms of fluidity or permeability for instance – is strongly influenced by its properties. Collective lateral membrane fluctuations play a crucial role in the transport processes within and across membranes [2]. Neutron three-axis spectrometer experiments have now revealed structural and dynamical properties of physiologically relevant phospholipid/cholesterol membranes [1]. The work shows how picosecond collective molecular motions in this important biological interface are affected and controlled by this key molecular player. B. Brüning, M.C. Rheinstädter, A. Hiess, B. Weinhausen, T. Reusch, S. Aeffner and T. Salditt, Eur. Phys. J. E 31 (2010) 419 [1] M.C. Rheinstädter, C. Ollinger, G. Fragneto, F. Demmel and T. Salditt, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93 (2004) 108107 [2]