We recently introduced two approaches for tethering planar lipid bilayers as membrane patches to either a supported lipid bilayer or DNA-functionalized surface using DNA hybridization (Chung, M.; Lowe, R. D.; Chan, Y-H. M.; Ganesan, P. V.; Boxer, S. G. J. Struct. Biol.2009, 168, 190-9). When mobile DNA tethers are used, the tethered bilayer patches become unstable, while they are stable if the ...

The present study was conducted in patients with cervix and ovarian carcinoma to evaluate the status of oxidative stress biomarkers as protein carbonyl and lipid hydro peroxides. Biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured as protein carbonyl (PC) and total lipid hydro peroxides (LOOH). Newly diagnosed women with carcinoma (n=100; 30-65 years of age) and agematched clinically healthy women (n=...

Interactions of membrane proteins with lipid molecules are central to their stability and function. We have used multiscale molecular dynamics simulations to determine the extent to which interactions with lipids are conserved across the aquaporin (Aqp) family of membrane proteins. Simulation-based assessment of the lipid interactions made by Aqps when embedded within a simple phospholipid bila...

We investigate the stability of seven inverse bicontinuous cubic phases [ G, D, P, C(P), S, I-WP, F-RD] in lipid-water mixtures based on a curvature model of membranes. Lipid monolayers are described by parallel surfaces to triply periodic minimal surfaces. The phase behavior is determined by the distribution of the Gaussian curvature on the minimal surface and the porosity of each structure. O...

The asymmetric insertion of amphiphiles into biological membranes compromises the balance between the inner and outer monolayers. As a result, area expansion of the receiving leaflet and curvature strain may lead to membrane permeation, shape changes, or membrane fusion events. We have conducted both atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine ...