The Interactions of Blood Components with Models of the Gram Negative Bacterial Surface

There is a lack of understanding in how medicines interact with blood serum components and with either bacterial or endothelial cellular membranes. We propose to examine the interaction of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and free apolipoproteins (ApoA1) with differing supported membrane types at the silicon water interface. One, a model of the eukaryotic membrane composed of mixed DMPCDMPS-Cholesterol 8:1:1 and another an asymmetric model of the Gram negative bacterial outer surface. We will systematically test our hypothesis that the LPS in the distal leaflet of the Gram negative bacterial outer membrane prevents serum component interactions with the bacterial surface and thus defends the bacterium from all but highly specific (anti-LOS antibodies) serum component interactions, and we will be able to determine the effect of cholesterol and Calcium on lipid exchange.