https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-024-01189-0
Review
X-ray scatterings to probe the structure and assembly of biomimetic membranes
Department of Physics, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, NH-91, Tehsil Dadri, 201314, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
Received:
15
February
2024
Accepted:
23
May
2024
Published online:
4
June
2024
Biomimetic membranes are the model membranes formed with a few chemical components, particularly with phospholipids that closely follow a biological membrane. There are multiple experimental techniques to probe the physio-chemical properties and structure of such systems. X-ray scattering techniques are the important ones as they are non-destructive in nature and can provide structural details about the assembly of molecules in the membrane at sub-nanometer length scale. In this review, major techniques, such as small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray reflectivity (XRR), and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) have been discussed with a focus on the structural aspect of membranes. One of these techniques is chosen depending upon the model membranes that include the lipid monolayer at air–water interface, unilamellar vesicles (ULV), multilamellar vesicles (MLV), single- or multi-layer of membranes on a solid or a soft support. A few recent results have also been discussed that are obtained by utilizing the advanced synchrotron-based X-ray scattering techniques. Finally, a few challenges and future aspects in the research field have been presented.
Ajit Seth and Devansh Kaushik have contributed equally to this work.
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