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Modeling Block Copolymer Interactions with Biomimetic Membranes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Shashishekar P. Adiga
Affiliation:
[email protected], Argonne National laboratory, Materials Science Division, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Argonne, IL, 60439, United States
Peter Zapol
Affiliation:
[email protected], Argonne National laboratory, Materials Science Division, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Argonne, IL, 60439, United States
Millicent A. Firestone
Affiliation:
[email protected], Argonne National laboratory, Materials Science Division, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Argonne, IL, 60439, United States
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Abstract

Association of amphiphilic triblock copolymers with lipid membranes results in versatile novel materials with enormous potential in many areas of bionanotechnology. The molecular architecture and concentration of block copolymers along with environmental variables such as temperature and pH provide means to tune these structures for desired applications and also allow for designing signal-responsive materials. Understanding interaction between block copolymers and lipid bilayers is crucial for applications in nanomedicine. Monte Carlo simulations are used to explore the effect of molecular architecture on the mode of insertion of triblock copolymers into lipid bilayers. The results are compared with small angle X-ray scattering data.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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References

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