Magnifying the Structural Components of Biomembranes: A Prototype for the Study of the Self‐Assembly of Giant Lipids. Issue 13 (12th February 2020) - Yan, Xiao‐Yun
Abstract: How biomembranes are self‐organized to perform their functions remains a pivotal issue in biological and chemical science. Understanding the self‐assembly principles of lipid‐like molecules hence becomes crucial. Herein, we report the mesostructural evolution of amphiphilic sphere‐rod conjugates (giant lipids), and study the roles of geometric parameters (head–tail ratio and cross‐sectional area) during this course. As a prototype system, giant lipids resemble natural lipidic molecules by capturing their essential features. The self‐assembly behavior of two categories of giant lipids (I‐shape and T‐shape, a total of 8 molecules) is demonstrated. A rich variety of mesostructures is constructed in solution state and their molecular packing models are rationally understood. Giant lipids recast the phase behavior of natural lipids to a certain degree and the abundant self‐assembled morphologies reveal distinct physiochemical behaviors when geometric parameters deviate from natural analogues. Abstract : The bigger the better : Two categories of giant, lipid‐like amphiphilic molecules organize into various mesostructures, shedding new light on the underlying principles of lipid self‐assembly. The geometric parameters of these giant, lipid‐like molecules are modulated on a molecular level to understand the physiochemical driving forces behind their self‐assembly.