The study of the interaction of amphiphilic ionic liquids with model membranes: a structural and spectroscopic approach

• Grant number: 18/04796-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date until: June 01, 2018
• End date until: August 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Leandro Ramos Souza Barbosa
• Grantee: Natália Fernandes de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/08832-1 - Localizing cationic ionic liquids in biomimetic membranes models: a small-angle X-ray scattering approach, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Ionic Liquids (LIs) are salts composed of an organic ion and an inorganic counter ion, which is found in the liquid state at temperatures 100oC. It has both academic and industrial interest due to its potential applications in several areas, including the green chemistry. Nowadays, ILs have also been included in pharmacology, bio-medicine and bio-nanotechnology. Nevertheless, recent results show that the toxicity of ILs is greater than previously believed, particularly with systems of biological relevance. Therefore, several physico-chemical studies of its interactions with biomimetic membrane systems were carried out in order to identify the molecular mechanisms behind its toxicity. The main goal of this project is to get more information on the interaction of some ionic liquids with biomimetic systems of membrane. To do so, we will use different lipids (such as: Palmitoylphosphatidylcholine, POPC, Palmitoylphosphatidylglycerol, POPG, cholesterol and sphingomyelin), for the composition of large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), in order to analyze the influence of different concentrations of LIs on their structural properties. This influence will be studied by means of some biophysical techniques already used in our research group, such as small angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), fluorescent probe leakage, cryo-Electron Microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta-potential. We do believe that the complete characterization of Ionic Liquids with model membranes can elucidade the physico-chemical mechanism of IL toxicity on cells. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

OLIVEIRA, Natália Fernandes de. The study of the interaction of amphiphilic ionic liquids with model membranes: a structural and spectroscopic approach. 2021. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física (IF/SBI) São Paulo.