Projects / Programmes
Biosignal transduction and membrane domain structure
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.02.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B002 |
Biomedical sciences |
Biophysics |
biological membranes, domain structure, EPR, physical modeling, spin labels, glycocalyx
Researchers (8)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The latest developments in biophysics suggest that biological membrane as heterogeneous systems composed of lipid bilayer, glycosylated surface (glycocalyx) and numerous active membrane proteins. The interactions between those building blocks enable mass transport as well as signal transduction across the membrane and probable also in the lateral direction. Despite numerous investigations membrane heterogeneities and their functions still remain unresolved, in particular the heterogeneity of glycocalyx and its interaction with lipid bilayer and membrane proteins. In this project the EPR spectroscopy together with spin labeling, special experimental approaches and modeling will be applied to explore the above-mentioned interactions and their influence on membrane heterogeneity. Either model membrane systems, which mimics the composition of the biological membrane of different cell types, or different cell lines will be studied. Further, the effect of various biologically active molecules, for example virus coat proteins, toxins and anesthetics, on membrane domain structure, will be investigated. The main focus will be the identification of interaction between different lateral domain structures (heterogeneities) lipid bilayer and glycocalyx which enables signal tranduction. This would change the general perception of biological membrane and its role in a signal transduction. Moreover, it could also open new possibilities in the development of lipid biosensors, for the detection of viruses (their coat proteins), various membrane proteins, toxins, anesthetics, etc.
