ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal
This is a page describing data taken during an experiment at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Information about the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source can be found at https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk.
Copy of Lipid Flip?Flop in Suspended Lipid Bilayers
Abstract: Biological membranes are intrinsically asymmetric, with lipid composition typically differing between the two leaflets. This asymmetry underpins essential cellular functions, influencing charge distribution, curvature, and membrane protein interactions. In model systems lacking active lipid transport, spontaneous flip flop erases asymmetry, while solid-supported bilayers often introduce substrate artefacts that obscure intrinsic behaviour. We have developed a suspended bilayer system at the air water interface, formed beneath a cationic DODAB monolayer, which removes substrate coupling while maintaining structural integrity. Here, we will use neutron reflectometry under multiple isotopic contrasts and salt conditions to determine how ionic strength and charge screening influence leaflet asymmetry, and whether lipid exchange occurs between the monolayer and bilayer. The results will reveal how electrostatic interactions and ion screening govern the stability and (re)distribution of charged lipids, providing new insight into the physical interactions and free energy landscape that maintain or disrupt membrane asymmetry. Our measurements will establish the mechanistic basis of lipid exchange and flip flop in substrate-free bilayers, informing the design of next-generation model systems for studying membrane proteins under physiologically relevant conditions.
Principal Investigator: Dr Sophie Ayscough
Local Contact: Dr Maxmilian Skoda
Experimenter: Dr Simon Titmuss
DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2600019
ISIS Experiment Number: RB2600019
| Part DOI | Instrument | Public release date | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2600019-1 | INTER | 02 June 2029 | Download |
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 Sophie Ayscough et al; (2026): Copy of Lipid Flip?Flop in Suspended Lipid Bilayers, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2600019
Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.
