Start Date
2020
Description
Lipids are molecules that contain hydrocarbons and are the building blocks of the structure of biological cells. The lipids we study have a polar head (hydrophilic), a nonpolar tail (lipophilic) and are oil soluble. From a biophysical perspective, it is of great interest to study the electron density of these lipids in order to observe different characteristics like the phase change of the lipid structure. The electron density of the hexagonal phase (HII) was modeled this summer. This research has implications in finding a synthetic substitute for lung proteins. In addition, this research has implications in the biological field in understanding how to disrupt the lipid membrane of virus that promote the hexagonal phase. Finally, this research also has implications in the field of biomimetics (nanotechnology
Recommended Citation
Lopez, Plinio Rosales; Ruiter, David A.; and Harper, Paul, "Electron Density Reconstruction of Lipids in the πππ Phase" (2020). Summer Research. 12.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/summer_research/2020/Posters/12
Included in
Electron Density Reconstruction of Lipids in the πππ Phase
Lipids are molecules that contain hydrocarbons and are the building blocks of the structure of biological cells. The lipids we study have a polar head (hydrophilic), a nonpolar tail (lipophilic) and are oil soluble. From a biophysical perspective, it is of great interest to study the electron density of these lipids in order to observe different characteristics like the phase change of the lipid structure. The electron density of the hexagonal phase (HII) was modeled this summer. This research has implications in finding a synthetic substitute for lung proteins. In addition, this research has implications in the biological field in understanding how to disrupt the lipid membrane of virus that promote the hexagonal phase. Finally, this research also has implications in the field of biomimetics (nanotechnology