Application of scattering techniques in the domain of amphiphiles

Light and neutron scattering techniques are discussed in connection with experiments on micellar solutions of gangliosides--amphiphilic molecules of biological origin. Micellar properties, like molecular weight, hydrodynamic radius and shape, are obtained with precise scattering measurements in conditions of negligible intermicellar interactions. It has also been verified that the GM1 ganglioside micelle does not change molecular weight and shape on addition of salt. Scattering techniques are also shown to be useful in studying intermicellar interactions, like the Coulomb repulsion between GM1 micelles, in the regime fo the long-range interactions obtainable at very low ionic strength.