Aqueous dispersions of biologically relevant amphiphilic aggregates: structures and interactions studies

• Grant number: 13/14419-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Maria Teresa Moura Lamy
• Grantee: Maria Teresa Moura Lamy
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cíntia Cristina De Vequi Suplicy ; Evandro Luiz Duarte ; Kaline Rabelo Coutinho

Abstract

This proposal is constituted by several studies to be carried out in the next two years at the laboratory of the Biophysical Group of the Physics Institute of the University of São Paulo, under my supervision. They focus both on basic and applied science. On one side, we are interested in understanding the interactions present in anionic lipid aqueous dispersions, the structures formed by the amphiphilics, and structural and electronic properties of molecules incorporated as fluorescent probes in the aggregates. On the other hand, we are involved in several much applied projects, in collaboration with biologists and biochemists, studying the interaction of biological active peptides, DNA analogues and drugs with model membranes. To investigate amphiphilic aggregates structure, several spectroscopic and scattering techniques will be used, like electron paramagnetic resonance, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, light and X-ray scattering, the latter at low angles. Lipid bilayers structural properties, and alterations caused by interacting molecules, will be also monitored by studying bilayer thermal transitions with deferential scanning calorimetry. The systems will be characterized by transport properties, like viscosity and conductivity, and through measurements of electrical mobility, and, possibly, surface electrical potential of lipid aggregate. The present proposal is concerned about fundamental studies, but also focuses at the better understanding of the biological activity of the systems under study, the structure-activity relationship, aiming at the development of new drugs and/or vaccines. (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)

ENOKI, THAIS A.; MOREIRA-SILVA, ISABELA; LORENZON, ESTEBAN N.; CILLI, EDUARDO M.; PEREZ, KATIA R.; RISKE, KARIN A.; TERESA LAMY, M.. Antimicrobial Peptide K-0-W-6-Hya1 Induces Stable Structurally Modified Lipid Domains in Anionic Membranes. Langmuir, v. 34, n. 5, p. 2014-2025, FEB 6 2018. (13/14419-3, 10/11671-5)

MASUKAWA, MARCOS K.; VEQUI-SUPLICY, CINTIA C.; DUARTE, EVANDRO L.; LAMY, M. TERESA. A closer look into laurdan as a probe to monitor cationic DODAB bilayers. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY, v. 376, p. 238-246, MAY 1 2019. (13/24949-0, 10/08365-0, 13/14419-3)