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Simplifying assumptions and the scope of application of lipid membrane models

Kubica K.

Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems

2011

Vol. 7, no. 2

13--16

Biological membranes are components of the cell – the basic unit of life. Their structure originates from amphiphilic properties of lipid molecules ( the major constituent of biological membranes) which when surrounded by water spontaneously form organized structures that include bilayers. A bilayer created purely out of lipid molecules is used as a physical model of biological membranes on which one can study biological processes associated with their lipid phase. These may include: passive transport, formation and decomposition of domains, phase transitions and formation of pores influenced by an external electric field. Experiments on lipid bilayer coupled with studies of its mathematical models enable to gain an understanding of the aforementioned biological membrane phenomena at a molecular level. A mathematical model is characterized by a set of simplifying assumptions which determines its application. By developing a simple model that only takes into account the structure of the hydrophobic lipid molecules, we were able to observe phases of various density corresponding to temperature changes. Expanding the model by including the polar parts of lipid molecules expressed via a surface pressure multiplied by a surface area per one molecule increased its range of research. This assumption, did not allow capturing some of the factors such as ionic strength or a presence of water molecules. Supplementing the model with new assumptions increased its application. The extended model allowed additionally tracking changes in the membrane influenced by biologically active amphiphilic compounds as well as examining the process of electroporation.