Lipid membranes are the most important biological barrier confining cell space but allowing for exchange of compounds and host gust molecules (pumps, receptors, enzymes, proteins) to allow for transport processes, signalling, alimentation, … Structure formation of lipids into lamellae, or 3D phases is an important field of research. In some cases, lipid membranes can even be utilized as templates for the structure formation of amphiphilic host molecules such as polymers, or polyphiles to induce certain structural features.
Research
I study structure formation of phospholipid membranes upon insertion/addition of small amphiphilic or polyphilic molecules modulating membrane properties. Incorporation of polymers or X-shaped polyphiles with well-defined chemical structure into lipid membranes induces phase separation or miscibility which can be steered by varying the chemistry of the dopant.