Micelles Monolayers And Biomembranes

Provides a fundamental understanding of the biophysical chemical properties of membrane structure and membranes' role and function in biological systems. Covers the characteristics of molecules, monolayers, more complex micelles and liposomes. Describes the significance of membrane structure, how receptors and other cell surface molecules are anchored within it, signal transduction plus the motion of proteins within and through it. Emphasizes the physical properties of biological processes.

Over the last decades, the study of surfactants (detergents, for example) has been profoundly changed by ideas and techniques from physics, chemistry, and materials science. Among these are: self assembly; critical phenomena, scaling, and renormalization; high-resolution scattering, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This book represents the first systematic account of these new developments, providing both a general introduction to the subject as well as a review of recent developments. The book will be a very useful tool for the biophysist, biochemist or physical chemist working in the field of surfactants.

Over the last decades, the study of surfactants (detergents, for example) has been profoundly changed by ideas and techniques from physics, chemistry, and materials science. Among these are: self assembly; critical phenomena, scaling, and renormalization; high-resolution scattering, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This book represents the first systematic account of these new developments, providing both a general introduction to the subject as well as a review of recent developments. The book will be a very useful tool for the biophysist, biochemist or physical chemist working in the field of surfactants.

This volume contains selected papers presented at the 42nd Biennial Meeting of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft held at the RWTH Aachen University September 26-28, 2005. The contributions in this volume represent the diversity of research topics in colloid and polymer science. They include the investigation of synthesis and properties of advanced temperature sensitive particles and their biomedical applications, drug delivery systems, foams, capsules, vesicles and gels, polyelectrolytes, nanoparticles surfactants and hybrid materials.

"Based on the plenary and invited lectures presented at the International Symposium on Micelles, Microemulsions, and Monolayers. Reviews the progress achieved in the last 25 years and describes new directions for research on micellar, microemulsion, and monolayer systems and their technological potential."

A comprehensive reference on micelles and vesicles as membrane models. Describes the properties of different membrane mimetic agents and emphasizes such applications as those in enzymology, reactivity control, and solar energy. Includes thorough data tabulations and references to original research publications.

This almost entirely rewritten edition remains the only comprehensive, up-to-date account of the subject available today—with nearly half of all literature references made to work done since 1973. Theoretical treatment of micelle formation has been greatly improved, making it possible to predict (from first principles) the size and size distribution of micelles formed by many simple amphiphiles . . . as well as the critical concentration at which they first form. Defines four distinct modes of association between protein and detergents (or other amphiphiles), and gives a plausible explanation to show why some ionic detergents generally denature proteins while nonionic detergents often do not. Also includes entirely new chapters on serum lipoproteins and on membrane proteins.

Themulticomponentnatureofbiologicalmembranesandtheirintra- andextracel- lar interactions make direct investigations on the membrane structure and processes nearly impossible. Clearly, a better understanding of the membrane properties and the mechanisms determining membrane protein functions is crucial to the imp- mentation of biosensors, bioreactors and novel platforms for medical therapy. For this reason, the interest in model systems suitable for the construction and study of complex lipid/protein membrane architectures has increased steadily over the years. The classical portfolio of model membranes used for biophysical and - terfacial studies of lipid (bi)layers and lipid/protein composites includes Langmuir monolayers assembled at the water/air interface, (uni- and multi-lamellar) vesicles in bulk (liposomal) dispersion, bimolecular lipid membranes (BLMs), and various types of solid-supported membranes. All these have speci?c advantages but also suffer from serious drawbacksthat limit their technical applications. Polymer m- branes comprised of entirely synthetic or hybrid (synthetic polymer/biopolymer) block copolymersappeared to be an attractive alternative to the lipid-based models. Generally, the synthetic block copolymer membranes are thicker and more stable and the versatility of polymer chemistry allows the adoption of relevant properties for a wide range of applications. This volume provides a vast overview of the physico-chemical and synthetic - pectsofarti?cial membranes. Numerousmembranemodelsaredescribed, including their properties(i. e. swelling, drying, lateral mobility, stability, electrical conduct- ity, etc. ), advantages, and drawbacks. The potential applications of these models are discussed and supported by real examples. Chapter 1 summarizesmethodsfor the stabilizationof arti?cial lipid membranes.