Vesicles are simple structures, but display complex, non-linear dynamics in fluid flow. I investigate the deformation of nanometer-sized vesicles, both fully-inflated and those with excess area, as they travel in tightly confined capillaries. By varying both channel size and flow strength, I simulate vesicles as they transition from steady-state to unstable shapes, and then rupture in strong flow fields. By employing a molecular dynamics model of the vesicle, fluid, and capillary system one is able to rupture the lipid bilayer of these vesicles. This is unique in that most other numerical methods for modelling vesicles are unable to show rupture. The rupture of fully-inflated vesicles is applicable to drug delivery in which the release of the encapsulated medicine needs to be controlled. The deformation and rupture of vesicles with excess area could be applicable to red blood cells which have similar rheological properties.

Phospholipid molecules self-assemble to form bilayers that are poorly soluble in an aqueous solvent. Phospholipids may, however, be readily dissolved by mixing with a bile salt or amphiphilic drug surfactant that forms mixed surfactant/phospholipid micelles. Mixed bile salt/phospholipid micelles play an important role in the digestion of fats in the gastrointestinal tract as well as solubilizers of water-insoluble drugs and other drug delivery applications. The ability of surfactants to dissolve phospholipids largely depends on the chemical structure of both surfactant and phospholipid. While bile salt and amphiphilic drug surfactants, with a rigid chemical structure, are good solubilizers of phospholipids, conventional surfactants, with a flexible aliphatic hydrocarbon tail, are poor solubilizers. In addition, the chemical structure of phospholipids, such as tail lengths and charge number, or the fraction of a cosurfactant, for instance cholesterol, is expected to influence the ability to form mixed micelles. In this paper, the aggregation behaviour and mixed micelle formation of the phospholipid dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPC) and two different surfactants: the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the amphiphilic drug surfactant Sodium fusidate (SF, similar structure to that of bile salt), have been studied, and the transition from micelles to bilayers has  been determined for the different surfactants, as well as the size and structure of micelles and bilayers close to the points of transition. The self-assembly of the mixed micelles of surfactants/phospholipids have been investigated using surface tension measurements, refractive index increment and static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS). The results suggest that the transition from micelles to bilayers are found to exist in the following range of bile salt/phospholipid compositions: For SF, 70-75 mol % phospholipid in the micelle was determined to be the point of transition, whilst 20-30 mol % for SDS. As the mole fractions of DMPC increased for both mixtures, the samples became turbid, which indicates the transition of micelles to bilayers. An exact value for molar ratio of transition might not be possible to determine from this study, but instead a, somewhat wider, range of values. In spite of this, a clear trend and difference between the two surfactants was observed.

Micro- and nanofabricated sample environments are useful tools for characterizing diffusion in confined aqueous environments. The steady-state diffusion and adsorption of unilamellar lipid vesicles in arrays of hydrophilic micropillars is investigated. Gradients in the coverage of fluorescently labeled, pillar-supported lipid films, formed from vesicle fusion, are determined from 3D z-stack images using confocal microscopy. The gradients are the result of preferential adsorption of vesicles near the tops of the pillars, which progressively deplete them from solution as they diffuse toward the base of the array. However, the increased propensity for vesicle adsorption near the pillar tops compared to the confined spaces between pillars results in the formation of confluent supported lipid bilayers at the pillar tops that resist the adsorption of additional vesicles while leaving the pillar surfaces below available for binding. This results in a reduction in the numbers of depleted vesicles compared to what one would anticipate based on diffusive fluxes. The resulting inhomogeneous spatial profiles of lipid structures on the pillars are the result of the system being maintained in a dissipative, nonequilibrium steady state during incubation of the pillar arrays in the vesicle solution, which is ultimately quenched by rinsing away the unbound, freely diffusing vesicles.

Model of nanoscale deformation mechanisms of cellular structures could render different results depending on the molecular dynamics (MD) simulator chosen. Also, the comparison of different MD simulators is typically an intricate task, requiring all configurations be converted appropriately with available parameter choices. This study aims to perform and compare MD simulations between two MD programs (GROMACS and LAMMPS), in which a phospholipid bilayer is deformed under different strain states. The two systems produced similar deformation behaviors and strain state effect on bilayer failure. However, GROMACS produced more pores at lower strains, lower stress, and higher damage values. Multiple setting options and algorithm variations have been considered as possible explanations for the differences. Overall, the study aids in the cross-check of parameter settings and simulation results in MD research, particularly on the mechanical damage of bilayer membranes. Besides, based on that, GROMACS and LAMMPS could be further exploited with better reproducibility.

No description available.

This work is devoted to understanding the formation of supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) on curved surfaces as a function of lipid properties such as headgroup charge/charge density and alkyl chain length, and nanoparticle properties such as size and surface characteristics. In particular, the formation of SLBs on curved surfaces was studied by varying the size of the underlying substrate SiO2 nanoparticles with size range from 5-100 nm. Curvature-dependent shift in the phase transition behavior of these supported lipid bilayers was observed for the first time. We found that the phase transition temperature, Tm of the SLBs first decreased with decreasing the size of the underlying support, reached a minimum, and then increased when the size of the particles became comparable with the dimensions of the lipid bilayer thickness; the Tm was above that of the multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) of the same lipids. The increase in Tm indicated a stiffening of the supported bilayer, which was confirmed by Raman spectroscopic data. Moreover, Raman data showed better lipid packing and increased lateral order and trans conformation for the SLBs with increasing the curvature of the underlying support and decrease of the gauche kinks for the terminal methyl groups at the center of the bilayer. These results were consistent with a model in which the high free volume and increased outer headgroup spacing of lipids on highly curved surfaces induced interdigitation in the supported lipids. These results also support the symmetric lipid exchange studies of the SLBs as a function of the curvature, which was found to be slower on surfaces with higher curvature. Further, the effect of surface properties on the formation of SLBs was studied by changing the silanol density on the surface of SiO2 via thermal/chemical treatment and monitoring fusion of zwitterionic lipids onto silica (SiO2) nanoparticles. Our findings showed that the formation of SLBs was faster on the surfaces with lower silanol density and concomitantly less bound water compared to surfaces with higher silanol density and more bound water. Since the two SiO2 nanoparticles were similar in other respects, in particular their size and charge (ionization), as determined by zeta potential measurements, differences in electrostatic interactions between the neutral DMPC and SiO2 could not account for the difference. Therefore the slower rate of SLB formation of DMPC onto SiO2 nanoparticles with higher silanol densities and more bound water was attributed to greater hydration repulsion of the more hydrated nanoparticles. Lastly, we have investigated the effect and modulation of the surface charge of vesicles on the formation of SLBs by using different ratios of zwitterionic and cationic DMPC/DMTAP lipids. Through these studies we discovered a procedure by which assemblies of supported lipid bilayer nanoparticles, composed of DMPC/DMTAP (50/50) lipids on SiO2, can be collected and released from bilayer sacks as a function of the phase transition of these lipids. The lipids in these sacks and SLBs could be exchanged by lipids with lower Tm via lipid transfer. / Chemistry

Droplet Interface Bilayers (DIBs) have a number of attributes that distinguish them from conventional artificial lipid bilayers. In particular, the ability to manipulate bilayers mechanically is explored in this thesis. Directed bilayer area changes are used to make precise measurements of the specific capacitance of DIBs and to control the two dimensional concentration of a membrane protein reconstituted in the bilayer. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction to the role of the lipid membrane en- vironment in the function of biological membranes and their integral proteins. An overview of model lipid bilayer systems is given. Chapter 2 introduces work carried out in this laboratory previously and illustrates the experimental setup of DIBs. Some important bilayer biophysical concepts are covered to provide the theoretical background to experiments in this and in later chapters. Results from the characterisation of DIBs are reported, and an account of the development of methods to manipulate the bilayer by mechanical means is given. Chapter 3 describes experiments that apply bilayer area manipulation in DIBs to achieve precise measurement of specific capacitance in a range of lipid systems. Chapter 4 reports results from experiments investigating the response of bilayer specific capacitance to an applied potential. Chapter 5 covers the background and experimental setup for total internal fluo- rescence microscopy experiments in DIBs and describes the expression, purification and characterisation of the bacterial β-barrel membrane protein pore α-Hemolysin. Chapter 6 describes experiments that apply the mechanical manipulation of bilayer area in DIBs to the corralling and control of the surface density of α-Hemolysin.

Phosphorylcholine (PC) based phospholipid bilayers have been explored as coating materials for various substrates due to their inherent resistance to non-specific protein adsorption. Phospholipids have been used for coatings in capillary electrophoresis (CE) to suppress electroosmotic flow (EOF) and to obtain better separation of proteins. Here, a series of investigations geared towards developing highly stable phospholipid based biomimetic stationary phases for chromatographic separations was performed.Fluid phospholipid bilayers lack the desired chemical and physical stability to serve as long-term coatings. In this work, highly stable phospholipid coatings generated via crosslinking polymerization of bis-SorbPC monomers were investigated. Reproducible EOF and migration times for model proteins were obtained for coated capillaries that were kept at room temperature for up to two months. Furthermore, the effects of surfactants, pH and capillary inner diameter (i.d.) on the stability of the lipid coating were investigated.In an alternate approach, stabilized phospholipid coatings for capillary electrophoresis were investigated via formation of hybrid monolayers. The capillary surface was chemically modified with a cyano group followed by deposition of phospholipid monomers. In this approach, marked enhancements in coating stability were attained with commercially available reagents. The hybrid coating was utilized for protein separations and gave efficiencies comparable to non-stabilized lipid coated capillaries.Fused silica capillaries were modified with phospholipid bilayers that were chemically tuned to introduce specific affinity binding agents, while minimizing nonspecific protein adsorption to the capillary wall. The wall of fused silica was functionalized with DOGS-NTA-Ni2+ lipid to present binding sites inside the capillary for 6xHis-tagged proteins. Fluorescence microscopy and changes in electrophoretic mobility were used to follow the interaction of the model proteins with the functionalized silica surface.The structural similarity of lipid vesicles to cell membranes made them attractive in developing stationary phases for both liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis to study interactions between analytes and phospholipid membranes. Stabilized PLB coated silica microspheres were prepared via polymerization of lipid monomers and displayed enhanced stability to extended storage and organic solvent. These highly stable microspheres, while minimizing nonspecific protein adsorption, were also functionalized with DOGS-NTA-Ni2+ and effectively bind 6xHis-EGFP proteins.

Carbohydrate molecules are essential parts of living cells. They are used as energy storage and signal substances, and they can be found incorporated in the cell membranes as attachments to glycoproteins and glycolipids, but also as free molecules. In this thesis the effect of carbohydrate molecules on phospholipid model membranes have been investigated by the means of Molecular Dynamics (MD) computer simulations. The most abundant glycolipid in nature is the non-bilayer forming monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG). It is known to be important for the membrane stacking typical for the thylakoid membranes in plants, and has also been found essential for processes related to photosynthesis. In Paper I, MD simulations were used to characterize structural and dynamical changes in a lipid bilayer when MGDG is present. The simulations were validated by direct comparisons between dipolar couplings calculated from the MD trajectories, and those determined from NMR experiments on similar systems. We could show that most structural changes of the bilayer were a consequence of lipid packing and the molecular shape of MGDG. In certain plants and organisms, the enrichment of small sugars such as sucrose and trehalose close to the membrane interfaces, are known to be one of the strategies to survive freezing and dehydration. The cryoprotecting abilities of these sugar molecules are long known, but the mechanisms at the molecular level are still debated. In Papers II–IV, the interactions of trehalose with a lipid bilayer were investigated. Calculations of structural and dynamical properties, together with free energy calculations, were used to characterize the effect of trehalose on bilayer properties. We could show that the binding of trehalose to the lipid bilayer follows a simple two state binding model, in agreement with recent experimental investigations, and confirm some of the proposed hypotheses for membrane–sugar interactions. The simulations were validated by dipolar couplings from our NMR investigations of TRH in a dilute liquid crystal (bicelles). Furthermore, the assumption about molecular structure being equal in the ordered and isotropic phases was tested and verified. This assumption is central for the interpretation of experimentally determined dipolar couplings in weakly ordered systems. In addition, a coarse grain model was used to tackle some of the problems with slow dynamics that were encountered for trehalose in interaction with the bilayer. It was found that further developments of the interaction models are needed to properly describe the membrane–sugar interactions. Lastly, from investigations of trehalose curvature sensing, we concluded that it preferably interacts in bilayer regions with high negative curvature. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

Experimentalmente, a transição entre as fases gel e gel-líquida de bicamadas fosfolipídicas pode ser mensurada por técnicas de anisotropia de fluorescência. A partir de uma sonda interna à membrana, a diferença entre as radiações absorvida e emitida, causada pela rotação da sonda no intervalo de fluorescência, relaciona-se com a fluidez da membrana. Com esta técnica aplicada à sondas DPH, foi encontrada influência do líquido iônico (LI) C14MImCl na temperatura de transição de fase de fosfolipídios carregados (DPPG), mas não nos casos neutros (DPPC e DMPC). A temperatura de transição para DPPG apresenta queda de 45oC, em estado puro, para 26oC com concentração de 30%mol de LI. Neste estudo, simulações de dinâmica molecular foram conduzidas de forma a descrever as interações de LI com os fosfolipídios de bicamadas em dois casos, DPPC e DPPG, e de analisar o comportamento dinâmico da sonda. Diferentes condições iniciais de mistura entre lipídios e LI foram consideradas nas simulações. Os resultados indicam que, quando misturadas aleatoriamente, ambos os lipídios apresentam agregação espontânea, evoluindo para forma lamelar com LI distribuído uniformemente. Quando uniformemente distribuído, o LI diminuí a interação entre lipídios e outras moléculas do sistema nos dois casos, porém com maior intensidade em DPPG devido à repulsão dos contra íons catiônicos (Na+) do lipídio, enquanto que em DPPC os contra íons aniônicos provenientes do LI (Cl-) mantém-se perto da interface. O comportamento da sonda foi qualitativamente reproduzido e visto ser altamente correlacionado com a fluidez das caudas, medida por meio do parâmetro de ordem deutérica. Por conta da equivalência das caudas entre DPPC e DPPG, encontrou-se omportamento similar nos dois sistemas. / The gel-liquid phase transition of phospholipid bilayers can be experimentally measured via fluorescence anisotropy techniques. Using a fluorescent probe within the membrane, the difference between absorbed and emitted radiation due to rotational movement can be related to the bilayer fluidity. The use of the fluorescent probe DPH shows the influence of the ionic liquid (IL) C14MImCl on the phase transition temperature of charged lipids (DPPG) but not neutral ones (DPPC and DMPC). The phase transition temperature for DPPG bilayers dropped from 45oC, in pure state, to 26oC, with 30%mol concentration of IL. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed in order to describe the IL interactions with the phospholipids in the membranes for two cases, DPPG and DPPC, and to analyze the dynamical behavior of the probe. Different initial conditions of the mixture between IL and lipids were considered in the simulations. The results indicate that in random initial conditions, both lipids spontaneously aggregates with the IL into a bilayer shape with IL uniformly distributed across it. The uniform distribution of IL in the membranes decreased the total interaction of the lipids and the other molecules in the system for both cases, but with higher influence in DPPG due to repulsion of cationic counter ions from the lipids (Na+), whereas in DPPC the anionic counter ions from IL (Cl-) remained closer to the bilayer interface. The probe behavior was qualitatively verified and found to be highly correlated with the lipid tails fluidity, through the calculated Deuter order parameter. Because of tails equivalence between the DPPG and DPPC, it was found a similar behavior of the probe in both systems.