Differential scanning calorimetry of protein-lipid interactions

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a highly sensitive non-perturbing technique for measuring the thermodynamic properties of thermally induced transitions. This technique is particularly useful for the characterization of lipid/protein interactions. This chapter presents an introduction to DSC instrumentation, basic theory, and methods and describes DSC applications for characterizing protein effects on model lipid membranes. Examples of the use of DSC for the evaluation of protein effects on modulation of membrane domains and membrane stability are given.