Theory of periodic structures in lipid bilayer membranes.
An approximate, new model for the structure of the periodic, undulated P(beta'), phase of phosphatidylcholine bilayers is proposed. The properties of this phase are deduced by minimizing a Landau-de Gennes expression for the bilayer free energy when this free energy contains a term favoring a spontaneous curvature of the membrane. The theoretical calculation leads to a model for the P(beta') phase of phosphatidylcholine bilayers having a number of novel physical properties, including periodic variations in membrane "fluidity."
Stauffer Laboratory for Physical Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305.
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MS
Falkovitz
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M
Seul
H L
HL
Frisch
H M
HM
McConnell