Nano-Science Center > Seminarer og events > Colloids and Membrane ...

Colloids and Membrane Interfaces

Seminar by Thomas L. Andresen, Polymer Department, Risø National Laboratory, Technical University of Denmark.

Abstract
It is evident that cell membranes are not just a simple homogenous mixture of lipids and proteins. The lipid membrane takes part in cell transduction and initiation of trafficking events through the formation of lipid rafts, hydrophobic mismatch, membrane lipid asymmetry, and locally induced curvature. However, when developing new drugs the cell membrane is still not in focus as a target. We are currently investigating how membrane active peptides interact with biological relevant model membranes as well as cell membranes using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC). We are interested in studying the membrane interactions of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), lipopeptides (LPs), and fusogenic peptides. To exploit AMPs and LPs as drugs for systemic administration, it is necessary to formulate them in drug delivery systems that transport the peptides to the diseased target site. We are investigating liposomes and polymer based hydrocolloids as drug delivery systems. In the present talk I will present our work on hydrocolloid synthesis using microemulsion polymerisation. We synthesize hydrocolloids for both drug delivery purposes and as nanosensor systems for quantifying metabolites in living cells. I will furthermore present our early ITC results on the antimicrobial peptide Mastoparan X, which forms ion channels in high concentration in negatively charged membranes.