The phospholipid membrane serves as a semi-permeable barrier that isolates the inner content of a biological cell from its environment. Such a role embodies a critical prerequisite for life. The functions of the phospholipid membrane are multifaceted, including selective transport of nutrients and waste products, signal transduction, energy conversion, etc.; lipid membranes are also targeted by various bacterial toxins. Many of those functions are carried out by membrane-integral proteins. To gain deeper insights into the intricate membrane structure and dynamic lipid-protein interactions, researchers have turned to the use of artificial lipid membranes immobilized on solid support as biomimetic model systems. These models replicate the essential features of biological membranes, allowing for precise manipulation and study of membrane phenomena in a controlled environment.
The aim of this work is to determine the adsorption and structure of artificial lipid membranes and membrane-active proteins at the electrochemical interface in-situ using controlled electrode potential. The research will be carried out using surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS). SEIRAS is a sophisticated analytical technique that offers enhanced sensitivity and specificity to molecular structure and interactions at the solid support-liquid interface.