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The effects of amphiphiles on membrane related functions and processes
| Date: | 1.1.1986- |
| Code: | K6610 |
| Department: | Åbo Akademi University / Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNF), Dept. of Biology |
| Address: |
BioCity, Artillerigatan 6, FIN-20520 Åbo
Phone +358-2-2154 265 Fax +358-2-2154 748 E-mail bisomaa@abo.fi |
| Project leader: |
FD Boris Isomaa, Överassistent, docent
(1.1.1986-) |
| Researchers: |
FD Henry Hägerstrand (1.1.1986-) FK Malgorzata Bobrowska-Hägerstrand (1.1.1994-) |
| Type of research: |
0 (0=Within duty, 1=Ordered research, 2=Co-operation)
- basic research 100 % |
| Man months: | Totally: 18 months |
| Keywords: | cellbiologi, solubiologia, amfifila ämnen, plasmamembranen, membranvesikulering, membrandynamik, celltoxikologi, amphiphiles, plasma membranes, membrane vesiculation, membrane dynamics, cell toxicology, |
Amphiphiles have a high affinity for cell membranes.Due to their amphiphilic character they are readily intercalated into the lipid bilayer of cell membranes, which in turn affects the stability, dynamics and function of the membrane.Our aim is to elucidate alterations caused by amphiphiles in the function and dynamics of cell membranes and to clarify whether the alterations caused are related to the molecular structure and charge of the amphiphile.The alterations caused by amphiphiles seem partly to be due to nonspecific interactions with the lipids of the cell membrane and partly to specific interactions with membrane proteins.The later interactions are strongly dependent on the molecular structure and charge of the amphiphile.Functional alterations are studied by examining effects of amphiphiles on ion transport and permeability, whereas the effects of amphiphiles on membrane dynamics and stability are studied by examining the distribution of lipids within the lipid bilayer and the shedding of vesicles from the membrane.At the same time as we aim to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of amphiphiles we strive to get an insight into the dynamics of plasma membranes.
16.2.1996 / 28.10.1999