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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Self-Assembly of Hybrid Lipid Membranes Doped with Hydrophobic Organic Molecules at the Water/Air Interface

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Published on: May 1, 2020

DNA and lipid bilayers: self-assembly and insertion.

Syma Khalid¹, Peter J Bond, John Holyoake

¹School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. s.khalid@soton.ac.uk

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface

|September 4, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

DNA-lipid interactions are key for gene therapy delivery. Simulations show DNA binds to lipid headgroups, not inserting into the bilayer core, with cationic lipids causing local deformation.

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Biomembrane Fabrication by the Solvent-assisted Lipid Bilayer (SALB) Method

Biomembrane Fabrication by the Solvent-assisted Lipid Bilayer (SALB) Method

Published on: December 1, 2015

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Molecular simulations
Biomaterials

Background:

DNA-lipid complexes are crucial for gene therapy delivery vectors.
Understanding DNA-lipid interactions informs the design of effective delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the self-assembly and interaction of DNA with zwitterionic (DPPC) and cationic (DPPC/DMTAP) lipid bilayers.
To determine the energetic landscape of DNA insertion into these lipid bilayers.

Main Methods:

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
Simulations studied the self-assembly of DPPC and DPPC/DMTAP lipid bilayers with a DNA dodecamer.
Potential of mean force calculations assessed DNA insertion energetics.

Main Results:

Spontaneous formation of lipid bilayers around the DNA molecule was observed.
DNA localized at the water-lipid headgroup interface, parallel to the bilayer plane.
A significant energy barrier prevented DNA insertion into the hydrophobic core; transmembrane orientation was limited to this region.
DNA-cationic lipid (DMTAP) attraction induced local bilayer deformation.

Conclusions:

DNA primarily interacts with lipid headgroups, with limited insertion into the bilayer core.
Cationic lipids like DMTAP influence DNA binding and induce local structural changes in lipid bilayers.
These findings provide insights into DNA-lipid complex formation for gene delivery applications.