Partitioning of short-chain alcohols and peptides into lipid bilayers: Experiment and computer simulation

COLL 134

Marjorie L. Longo1, Hung V. Ly1, Michael W. Maddox1, and David Block2. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, U. C. Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, (2) Department of Viticulture and Enology and Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, U C. Davis
Small amphiphilic molecules or sections of molecules will partition into the lipid bilayer. Partitioning (or incorrect partitioning) is related to healthy states as well as unhealthy states such as solvent exposure, viral infection and Alzheimer's disease. We have used both experiment (micropipette aspiration) and computer simulations to study partitioning of small molecules into the lipid bilayer. Our recent studies on the partitioning of short-chain alcohols and peptides will be presented.