Title:Simulation Modeling of Supported Lipid Membranes – A Review
Volume: 14
Issue: 5
Author(s): Michael Hirtz, Naresh Kumar and Lifeng Chi
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Simulation, molecular dynamics, supported lipid layer, supported lipid bilayer, phospholipids, lipid membranes,
computer modeling.
Abstract: Lipid membranes are of great importance for many biological systems and biotechnological applications. One
method to gain a profound understanding of the dynamics in lipid membranes and their interaction with other system
components is by modeling these systems by computer simulations. Many different approaches have been undertaken in
this endeavor that have led to molecular level insights into the underlying mechanisms of several experimental observations
and biological processes with an extremely high temporal resolution. As compared to the free-standing lipid bilayers,
there are fewer simulation studies addressing the systems of supported lipid membranes. Nevertheless, these have significantly
enhanced our understanding of the behavior of lipid layers employed in applications spanning from biosensors
to drug delivery and for biological processes such as the breathing cycle of lung surfactants. In this review, we give an account
of the state of the art of methods and applications of the simulations of supported lipid bilayers, interfacial membranes
at the air/water interface and on solid surfaces.
