Lipid bilayers represent the fundamental model system for biological membranes. In recent years, we have been presented with a wealth of important insights into the structural and functional abilities of lipid bilayers with real possibilities in understanding the complex and varied behaviour of biological membranes. This volume is intended to give the researcher presently in the field and those wishing to enter the field a comprehensive overview into the current state of the art of lipid bilayer research. Detailed reviews are given on such topics as, lipid bilayer structure and dynamics, hydration of lipid bilayers, the role and behaviour of lipid bilayers on fusion and rupture, interaction of lipid bilayers and monolayers with small organic molecules and other additives such as proteins and finally, on the production and characterization of highly aligned bilayers under biologically relevant conditions. The book, besides being a reference, could be used in a graduate level courses with special emphasis in model membrane systems and physical techniques characterization.

Klappentext

Provides the reader with an up to date insight of the current state of the art in the field of lipid bilayer research and the important insights derived for the understanding of the complex and varied behaviour of biological membranes and its function.

Inhalt

Structure and Interactions of Lipid Bilayers: Role of Fluctuations.- Aligned Lipid-Water Systems.- Conformations of Fluid Lipid Membranes.- Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Phospholipid Bilayers.- New Insights into Biomembrane Structure from Two-Dimensional Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement Spectroscopy.- X-ray and Neutron Scattering Studies of Lipid Monolayers and Single Bilayers.- Direct Determination of Biomembrane Structures.- X-ray Diffraction Studies on the Effect of Additives on the Phase Behaviour of Lipids.- Peptides in Lipid Bilayers: Determination of Location by Absolute-Scale X-ray Refinement.- Solid State NMR Approaches to the Study of Membrane Proteins in Magnetically Aligned Model Membranes.- Liposome Phase Systems as Membrane Activity Sensors for Peptides.- Fusion and Rupture of Lipid Model Membranes.