Supervisors: Carlos Marques, André Schroder, Pierre Muller
Biological cell membranes are mainly composed of lipids assembling into impermeable bilayer preventing the translocation of numerous molecules inside of the cell. Electroporation is a recently developed technic used in therapy to insert drugs or gene inside a cell in order to increase treatment efficiency and decrease side effects. By applying an electric stress to the membrane, pores are able
to open, increasing considerably the membrane permeability. Electroporation can be used in the treatment of numerous diseases often linked to the presence of oxidized lipid, compromising the membrane structural and mechanical properties leading to the non-functioning of essential biological mechanisms.
It is relevant to study hydroperoxidized membranes, to get a better characterisation of their mechanical and structural properties and study the hydroperoxidation impact on the membrane permeability and ability to form pores. Especially, we showed how hydroperoxidation thinner the membrane and modify its fluidity and elasticity. The modified properties of such membrane induce increased permeability and
enhance pore formation during electroporation of free-standing bilayers.
Keywords: Biological membranes, Phospholipids, Hydroperoxidation, Permeability, Electroporation, Mechanical and structural properties.
