JCNS Workshop 2024, Trends and Perspectives in Neutron Scattering: Functional Interfaces

Curvature induced phase separation in lipid bilayers: A structural and compositional perspective
O. Kyzyma*1, F. Mehler2, A. Vorobiev2, N. Paracini3, M. Wolff2, M. Cárdenas1,4.

1Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia/Biofisika Bizkaia Fundazioa (FBB), 48940, Leioa, Spain
2Department of material physics, Uppsala University, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
3Institut...

Biointerfaces describe the areas of making contact with biological environments, such cells, tissues, living organisms, bio(macro)molecules or organic/inorganic materials. Nano-biointerfaces are being mimicked by various models which allow studying important components of cell-life, hence permitting to reproduce various structural conditions [1], such as the architecture of plasma or bacterial...

We investigated the SARS-CoV2 membrane fusion timescale by means of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) using hydrogen/deuterium contrast variation. After the successful production of virus-like vesicles and human- host-cell-like vesicles we were able to follow the fusion of the respective vesicles in real-time. This was done using deuterated and protonated phospholipids in the vesicles in a...

Myelin, an asymmetric multilamellar membrane enveloping axons, comprises alternating extracellular and cytoplasmic leaflets [1]. Structural alterations in the myelin sheath, particularly demyelination, are indicative of various inflammatory neurological disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) [2]. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as a recognized animal model for MS,...

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most prescribed drugs for their analgesic, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. NSAIDs have a strong propensity to alter the structure and dynamics of lipid membranes [1-2]. However, pure model membranes are too simple to represent a complex cell membrane. Hence, it is necessary to study a model membrane...

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are a class of proteins that do not have a defined three-dimensional structure but may fold if a binding partner is present. In our current research we focus on the interaction of two neuronal IDPs with bio-membranes where binding to the membrane induces configurational changes or folding:
α-Synuclein (αSyn) is associated with various neurogenerative...

Biomacromolecules, when approaching cell surface, can see different exposed chemical groups with a variety of possible spatial organization, depending on local plasma membrane composition and on intra- and extra-cellular environmental conditions. We develop experimental biomimetic interfaces in the form of dispersed aggregates in solution or of single supported bilayers, mimicking different...

The self-assembly of amphipathic copolymers with phospholipids in aqueous solution results in the formation of ‘nanodiscs’ containing a planar segment of phospholipid bilayer encapsulated by a polymer belt. Recent studies have reported that lipids rapidly exchange between both nanodiscs in solution and external sources of lipids e.g. [1]. There are, however, outstanding questions regarding...