Validation and characterization of a model protomembrane architecture
The aim of this study is to validate a new model membrane structure for a protocell (prebiotic living form) and to perform a first physico-chemical characterization of such architecture. This model consists in a bilayer of mid-chain fatty acid molecules along with alcohols of equal chain length. Between the two layers, perpendicular to the carbon tails, is inserted a hydrocarbon whose size and type effects have to be investigated. The intercalating agent inside the bilayer is expected to modify its physical characteristics, e.g. the membrane rigidity, permeability and stability. If proven, these effects will have natural impacts on the possible strategies put in place by the first living systems to maintain and protect the biological functions of its boundaries. Neutron scattering techniques can give unique insights for our investigation, providing information about the molecular arrangement of the hydrocarbon molecules (diffraction with deuterium labelling) and their effects on molecule dynamics at the useful timescales (QENS). The validation and study of our model can help today's science to understand how the first forms of life resisted to the harsh early Earth's conditions.
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MISURACA Loreto; DEME Bruno; Phil Oger; OLLIVIER Jacques; PETERS Judith and SEYDEL Tilo. (2018). Validation and characterization of a model protomembrane architecture. Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) doi:10.5291/ILL-DATA.9-13-758
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