Interaction between Cationic Lipopeptides and Models of Gram-Negative Bacterial Membranes Studied by Neutron Reflection

A group of designed lipopeptides with 4 amino acids have displayed large differences in antimicrobial efficacy and biocompatibility, as well as in secondary structures upon membrane binding. Neutron reflection is about the only method that could help reveal how these lipopeptides attack inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria from the established membrane models for bacteria, thus helping explain their anti-microbial actions. This work is part of PhD research by Tianhao Ge and constitutes an important aspect of our design and development of effective antimicrobial peptides.