ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Effect of glycolipids with therapeutic potential on phase behaviour of model membranes

Abstract: alpha-galactosylceramide (a-GalCer) can activate an immune response through a protein-mediated cell signalling event. The effect of a-GalCer on local membrane structure is poorly understood but has implications for the co-localisation of the lipid and protein. Our research aims are to elucidate the effect that a-GalCer has upon the phase behaviour of model membranes and find differences between a-GalCer and naturally occurring analogues that do not elicit the same immune response. The aim of this experiment is to determine the organisation of molecules within monolayers composed of two synthetic glycolipids and their mixtures with DPPC, using neutron reflectivity. These results will be combined with our x-ray reflectivity data to yield structural information that will enable us to interpret macroscopic behaviour and so build a more complete model of a-GalCer behaviour in membranes.

Principal Investigator: Dr Sarah Horswell
Local Contact: Dr Maxmilian Skoda
Experimenter: Professor Liam Cox
Experimenter: Dr Thomas Arnold
Experimenter: Dr Mary Wood
Experimenter: Mr Thomas Howitt
Experimenter: Miss Alexandra Martin

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1910356

ISIS Experiment Number: RB1910356

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Sarah Horswell et al; (2019): Effect of glycolipids with therapeutic potential on phase behaviour of model membranes, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1910356

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.