Alkane localisation inside a compliant protomembrane model at an atomic scale
A novel membrane architecture is proposed as a model for the first forms of life. This model consists on a bilayer of short chain amphiphiles (readily available at the onset of life), with small percentages of alkane molecules inserted inside the membrane. The latter would help sustain the extreme environmental conditions (high T, high p) experienced by the first protocells on the early planet. We propose to perform neutron membrane diffraction to study, at atomic scale, the positioning of different lengths (20 - 30 carbons) and types (linear - isoprenoid) of alkanes. This will be done by employing both hydrogenated and deuterated alkanes, as well as different D2O/H2O contrasts, and will allow to perform the 1D Fourier analysis to construct the membrane scattering length density profiles. Besides, humidity scans will be performed using the humidity chamber available as sample environment on D16, to study the membrane response to different water pressure conditions in the cases where the alkanes are presents (and which) or not. A precise alkane localization inside the membrane will help us understanding the mechanisms for which these molecules affect the membrane properties.
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MISURACA Loreto; DEME Bruno; LORICCO Josephine; Phil Oger and PETERS Judith. (2020). Alkane localisation inside a compliant protomembrane model at an atomic scale. Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) doi:10.5291/ILL-DATA.9-13-906
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