Bioelectrics Seminar Series - How one makes pores in membranes?

Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics Seminar Series

Speaker:  Max Berkowitz, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Title: How one makes pores in membranes?                                                        

When: 9:00 AM, Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Where: 1st floor conference room, IRP II

Abstract:  I will discuss the results from our molecular dynamics simulations performed to study the action of a peptide, melittin, on the model lipid membranes. Melittin anti-microbial activity is due to creation of pores in membranes. Results describing structural and thermodynamic information about the initial stages of membrane poration will be presented. We also performed simulations to study how the shock wave assisted implosion of nanobubbles located next to lipid bilayers produce bilayer damage by creating pores in them. It is speculated that this kind of damage to membranes may cause traumatic brain injury. In addition, I will present some results from simulations that study how shock-wave-induced bubble implosion damages the blood brain barrier or proteins imbedded in the lipid bilayer.

Max Berkowitz 041232016.pdf  (150.8 KB)

Posted By: Barbara Carroll
Date: Wed Apr 06 08:42:11 EDT 2016