A study of supported lipid mulitlayers in a humidity controlled environment
by Servantes, Mark E., Ii, M.S., NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, 2011, 43 pages; 1506317

Abstract:

A topic of interest in the field of biophysics is understanding interactions between cell membranes. Thermal fluctuations within each membrane contribute to these interactions. Thus, understanding how thermal fluctuations play a role in the dynamics of a single membrane will lead to a better understanding of membrane interactions. It is difficult, however, to study dynamics of a single membrane without restricting its mobility. A membrane will have its motion dampened by neighboring ones, and will be further restricted if in contact with the substrate. A solution to this problem is to arrange layers of membranes (also known as a lipid multilayer) and maximize the spacing between the layers. Studying a stack of membranes is also easier than studying a single membrane, due to the stronger intensity of reflected light waves. The first step is to determine how multilayer spacing can be controlled, and this research is presented to demonstrate that multilayer spacing can be regulated via relative humidity of the sample's environment. DMPC multilayer samples are measured via x-ray reflectivity with relative humidities of 99%, 99.9%, 99.99%, and 100% at 30ºC. The measurements imply that the accuracy of spacing control is sensitive to temperaure gradients existing within the sample's environment. These results suggest that further study requires an improved apparatus design which maintains uniform temperature.

 
AdviserLaurence Lurio
SchoolNORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 50-04, p. , Feb 2012
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsBiophysics
Publication Number1506317
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