Soft matter studies of phospholipid membranes
by Berry, Justin David, M.S., NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, 2010, 58 pages; 1477013

Abstract:

Supported phospholipid bilayers provide a simple model system through which properties of real cellular membranes can studied in a controlled manner. These materials are not only important for their biological relevance but also because they could potentially be engineered in next generation biotechnologies. We investigated the properties of phospholipids that were formed into arrays of bilayer stacks. Additionally, we attempted to probe the surface height fluctuations on bilayers stacks of DPPE supported on silicon using x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). In this technique, x-rays are incident on the membrane in a grazing incidence geometry and diffusely scattered x-rays are measured using an area detector. Time fluctuations of the scattering pattern can then be analyzed to yield the relaxation rate of surface height fluctuations. Stacked bilayer systems were prepared utilizing combination of Langmuir-Blodgett and Langmuir-Schaeffer depositions. Static structural measurements were also made on these systems. Relationships between structure and dynamics of these systems will be discussed.

 
AdviserLaurence B. Lurio
SchoolNORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 48-05, p. , Jul 2010
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsCondensed matter physics; Biophysics
Publication Number1477013
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1477013
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.