title: Use of phospholipid-clay complexes for determining vibrational spectra of membrane related systems.
abstract: For determining the infrared and Raman spectra of membrane related systems, a method is developed to incorporate phospholipid bilayer assemblies in a clay matrix to form ultra-thin, self-supporting films. These films, containing stabilized bilayers arranged between the silicate layers of hectorite, are in the shape of discs which measure about 2 cm in diameter and 25 microns thick and require approximately 2 mg of phospholipid for preparation. Although several spectral regions below 1100 cm-1 are masked by the host clay, both head group and acyl chain vibrations may be conveniently observed and monitored for phospholipid conformational changes.
mesh_terms: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008954:Models, Biological; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D017640:Silicates; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D017640:Silicates; C013547:hectorite; D012822:Silicon Dioxide