Interaction of local anesthetics with biological membranes by molecular dynamics simulations

• Grant number: 06/02523-7
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Duration: March 01, 2007 - February 28, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Monica Andrea Pickholz
• Grantee: Monica Andrea Pickholz
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This proposal aims at the implementation of a new research line in the field of computer simulations, inside the Jovem Pesquisador Program of FAPESP. It will be developed with the biomembranes group, headed by Prof. Eneida de Paula, at the Biochemistry Department of the Institute of Biology of UNICAMP. In this project, we propose to use computer simulations techniques to investigate, at the microscopic level, the interaction of local anesthetics with biological membranes. The study will focus the structural and dynamical properties (at the nanosecond time scale) of lipid bilayers and liposome at the biologically relevant phases. The project explores inter/multidisciplinary approach for the investigation of biological phenomena, where we combine competences from physics, biochemistry, and computer simulations. With this approach we expect to develop a scientifically rich environment for the researchers and students. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PICKHOLZ, MONICA; GIUPPONI, GIOVANNI. Coarse Grained Simulations of Local Anesthetics Encapsulated into a Liposome. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, v. 114, n. 20, p. 7009-7015, MAY 27 2010. Web of Science Citations: 12.

PICKHOLZ, MONICA; FRACETO, LEONARDO FERNANDES; DE PAULA, ENEIDA. Preferential location of prilocaine and etidocaine in phospholipid bilayers: A molecular dynamics study. Synthetic Metals, v. 159, n. 21-22, SI, p. 2157-2158, NOV 2009. Web of Science Citations: 4.

CABECA, LUIS F.; PICKHOLZ, MONICA; DE PAULA, ENEIDA; MARSAIOLI, ANITA J. Liposome-Prilocaine Interaction Mapping Evaluated through STD NMR and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, v. 113, n. 8, p. 2365-2370, FEB 26 2009. Web of Science Citations: 16.