Binding studies of Quantum Dots and Pore-Forming Proteins on multi-component model cell membranes

Cell membrane being the first line of defence of a complex cell, it forms an important scientific topic to study its encounter with various external entities. Nanoparticles are an important topic because of its applications like drug delivery. On the other hand, pore-forming proteins like listeriolysin O, present in virulent bacteria, bind to target membrane and cause cell lysis. This study aims to use Neutron Reflectivity as a powerful technique to understand the binding profile and penetration of protein/nanoparticles and the resultant modifications in molecular conformation of the different multi-component model cell membranes tuned by differently entropic and charged lipids to control the preferential binding of the charged/uncharged nanoparticles and also understand the cell lysis mechanism of the pore-forming protein LLO.

细胞膜作为复杂细胞的第一道防御屏障，探究其与各类外源物质的相互作用是一项重要的科学研究课题。纳米颗粒（nanoparticles）因其在药物递送等领域的应用价值而成为重要研究热点。另一方面，存在于致病细菌中的孔形成蛋白（pore-forming proteins）如李斯特菌溶血素O（listeriolysin O, LLO），可结合靶细胞膜并引发细胞裂解。本研究旨在利用中子反射术（Neutron Reflectivity）这一高性能表征技术，解析蛋白质/纳米颗粒的结合特性与渗透过程，以及经不同熵属性与带电脂质调控的多组分模型细胞膜的分子构象变化；通过该脂质调控策略，可实现对带电/不带电纳米颗粒优先结合行为的精准控制，同时阐明孔形成蛋白LLO的细胞裂解机制。