Nanobiology Seminar Series
Alok Singh, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering
Naval Research Laboratory
Location: Building 426, Conference Room
 NCI Frederick, Maryland
Date:April 6, 2006
Time:12:00 noon ET |
Abstract:
Polymerizable Phospholipids: Versatile Building Blocks for Technology Development
Phospholipids are the major constituent of cell membranes, which represent nature's fascinating architecture that accomplish complex functions efficiently, and reproducibly. Prerequisite for mimicking a cell function (e.g.; sensing, molecular recognition, substrate entrapment, transport and release of biomolecules, etc.) in non-natural environment is the stability of membranes and their morphologies. Polymerizable phospholipids offer a simple and effective means for stabilizing bilayer membranes and preserving their morphologies. Vesicles derived from polymerizable phospholipids have shown stability against physical and chemical perturbations, maintained structural integrity during freeze-thaw cycle and in organic solvents, produced stable vesicular dispersions, demonstrated control over retention and release of encapsulants, functioned as nanoreactors and used as nano-scaffold to perform chemistries at the nanoscale. Polymerizable phospholipids, in addition to stabilizing the bilayer membranes, offer opportunities for creating novel morphologies with technological implications. In this talk I will focus on the structure, function and properties of membranes derived from polymerizable phospholipids¹ including utility of polymerized membranes in non-medical field².
1 Langmuir, 19(5), 188, 2003; Langmuir, 19(16), 6401, 2003; Chem. Phys. Lipids, 112, 99, 2001; J. Phys. Chem. B, 108, 127, 2004;
2 Advanced Materials, 17, 1194, 2005; Advanced Functional Materials, 15(2), 267, 2005.
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