The impact of oxidized lipids on biological membranes investigated by phase contrast and fluorescence optical microscopy

• Grant number: 14/26188-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: May 14, 2015
• End date: June 13, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Rosangela Itri
• Grantee: Rosangela Itri
• Visiting researcher: Luis Alberto Bagatolli
• Visiting researcher institution: University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Denmark
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/50680-5 - Photosensitization in life sciences, AP.TEM

Abstract

Prof Bagatolli is one of the greatest specialists on optical microscopy techniques, in particular on confocal fluorescence, two-photons, FCS, investigating membrane fluctuations, action mechanisms of biomolecules on membranes, and lipid domains (phase coexistence). Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are used as model membranes. As visiting professor, he will collaborate in the following projects at the lab: i) size determination of membrane pores that are generated on GUVs surface by lipid peroxidation. This subject makes part of a master project from Robert Checchia (IFUSP, under the supervision of R. Itri); ii) morphometric analysis of membranes (GUVs) containing liquid-ordered - liquid disordered phase coexistence of ternary mixtures of hydroperoxide POPC/DPPC/cholesterol. Such analysis is of fundamental importance in the development of a PhD project (Gustavo S. M. Campos, FAPESP fellowship submitted) and of pos-doc (Dra. AndrezaB. Gomide - CNPq fellowship), both under supervision of profa. Rosangela Itri. Besides, prof. Bagatolli also will give the following talks: 1) 06.05.2015: "Biophysical Aspects of Skin Tissue" - Departamento de Bioquimica e Biologia Tecidual do Instituto de Biologia da UNICAMP. 2) 08.05.2015: Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) as a laboratory to study mesoscopic lipid domains in membranes - IFUSP. 3) 15.05.2015: Morphometric image analysis of giant vesicles: a new tool for quantitative thermodynamics studies of phase-separation in lipid membranes – IFUSP. 4) 20 a 22.05.2015:scientific visit to Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras da USP-Ribeirão Preto 21.05.2015: "Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) as a laboratory to study mesoscopic lipid domains in membranes". (AU)