Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer
Published on: April 19, 2021
Structural and thermodynamic determinants of chain-melting transition temperatures for phospholipid and glycolipids
1Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie, Abteilung Spektroskopie und photochemische Kinetik, 37070 Göttingen, Germany. dmarsh@gwdg.de
Abstract:
For optimum function, biological membranes need a fluid environment, which is afforded by the liquid-disordered phase of lipids with low chain-melting temperatures or the liquid-ordered phase that is formed by combining high chain-melting lipids with cholesterol. The dependence of chain-melting transition temperature on lipid chain structure is therefore of central importance. The currently available database, including sphingolipids and glycolipids, is summarised here by parameterising systematic dependences on molecular structure in terms of suitable thermodynamic models. Chain-length dependence, chain asymmetry of lipids forming partially interdigitated and mixed interdigitated gel phases, chain unsaturation, positional dependence of methyl branching, headgroup-attached and alpha-branched chains, and length of zwitterionic headgroups are all covered. This type of information is essential for biophysical approaches to functional lipidomics.
More Related Videos
10:08Phase Behavior of Charged Vesicles Under Symmetric and Asymmetric Solution Conditions Monitored with Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: October 24, 2017
11:27A Package of Established Analytical Tools to Investigate the Solid-State Alteration of Lipid-Based Excipients
Published on: August 9, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Structure of Lipids
Structure of Lipids
Structure of Lipids