title: X-ray diffraction of lipid model membranes.
abstract: In this chapter the use of X-ray diffraction to study the structure of lyotropic phases and lipid model membranes is described. Determination of the phase symmetry and lattice parameters from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and of the nature of the hydrocarbon chain packing from wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), are discussed. Methods by which the sign of the interfacial curvature of non-lamellar phases may be determined are then presented. Finally, the calculation of electron density profiles from the intensities of the observed Bragg peaks is described, for the lamellar phase and for the inverse hexagonal phase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK, arwen.tyler02@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Arwen I I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Tyler
authors.forename: Robert V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Seddon
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D004583:Electrons; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids