title: Analysis of biosurfaces by neutron reflectometry: from simple to complex interfaces.
abstract: Because of its high sensitivity for light elements and the scattering contrast manipulation via isotopic substitutions, neutron reflectometry (NR) is an excellent tool for studying the structure of soft-condensed material. These materials include model biophysical systems as well as in situ living tissue at the solid-liquid interface. The penetrability of neutrons makes NR suitable for probing thin films with thicknesses of 5-5000 Å at various buried, for example, solid-liquid, interfaces [J. Daillant and A. Gibaud, Lect. Notes Phys. 770, 133 (2009); G. Fragneto-Cusani, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 13, 4973 (2001); J. Penfold, Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci. 7, 139 (2002)]. Over the past two decades, NR has evolved to become a key tool in the characterization of biological and biomimetic thin films. In the current report, the authors would like to highlight some of our recent accomplishments in utilizing NR to study highly complex systems, including in-situ experiments. Such studies will result in a much better understanding of complex biological problems, have significant medical impact by suggesting innovative treatment, and advance the development of highly functionalized biomimetic materials.
authors.affiliation: MPA-CINT/Lujan Neutron Scattering Center, Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Junghans
authors.affiliation: MPA-11/Lujan Neutron Scattering Center, Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 and Institut Laue Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Erik B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.affiliation: Institut Laue Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: MPA-CINT/Lujan Neutron Scattering Center, Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545.
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Biosciences Division, Bioenergy and Biome Sciences, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545.
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Waltman
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125.
authors.forename: Hillary L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213.
authors.forename: Luka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pocivavsek
authors.affiliation: MPA-CINT/Lujan Neutron Scattering Center, Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545.
authors.forename: Jaroslaw
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Majewski
mesh_terms: D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods*; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000737:chemistry*; D008566:Membranes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009502:Neutrons
chemical_list: D045424:Complex Mixtures