Interaction of membrane-penetrating peptides with lipid monolayers at the air-water interface as a model for placental drug delivery

Placental drug delivery is an emerging and important field because there are currently no treatments for serious pregnancy complications, e.g. preeclampsia. The membrane penetrating peptides CGKRK and RSGVAKS have been shown to be internalised spontaneously not only into placental cells but also breast cancer cells. To complement our in vitro work, we have characterised using surface pressure and ellipsometry interactions of these peptides with lipid-based model membranes that mimic simplified placental and cancer cells. In this proposal we aim to resolve the extent of interaction, degree of hydration and crucially the location of binding of the peptides in model membranes using neutron reflectometry. This information will provide insight into the commonality of peptide interactions with placental and cancer cells, and help us work towards novel drug delivery strategies to the placenta.