Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) challenged by nano-ions

Nano-ions such as polyoxometalates (POMs), boron clusters and hydrophobic ions, are nanometric ionic molecules with unique architecture and super-chaotropic properties. Despite nano-ions promising membrane-targeting ability, direct evidence of the proposed mechanism based on the formation and desorption of POM-lipid assemblies is lacking. Following our SANS study of interactions between nano-ions with mixed 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC)/ 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) at ISIS Larmor, and XRR study at Diamond I07 of the nano-ion interactions with the DOPC/DOTAP Langmuir monolayer at the air-water interface, we propose a comprehensive XRR study to examine in detail the structural changes of supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) mediated by nano-ions, as a function of lipid composition, type of nano-ions, concentrations, and temperature. This will enable Dr Wlodek to successfully complete her H2020 Marie Curie Fellowship project.