The formation of polymeric model biomembranes from diacetylenic fatty acids and phospholipids

Diacetylenic fatty acid monolayers at the air/water interface and multilayers on suitable supports polymerise when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. It has been found that polymerisation still occurs when monolayers are diluted with cholesterol or gramicidin. The rigid, crystalline nature of the films formed makes them useful biomembrane models. Phospholipids made from the fatty acids were less reactive. Multilayers deposited on hydrophobic supports would polymerise but not monolayers on water.