(199e) Biomolecular Interactions at Phospholipid-Decorated Interfaces of Thermotropic Liquid Crystals

This presentation will discuss the spontaneous assembly of phospholipids at planar interfaces between thermotropic liquid crystals and aqueous phases. This process gives rise to patterned orientations of the liquid crystals that reflect the spatial and temporal organization of the phospholipids. Strong and weak specific binding events involving proteins at these interfaces drive the reorganization of the phospholipids and trigger orientational transitions in the liquid crystals. Because these interfaces are fluid, processes involving the lateral organization of proteins (e.g., formation of protein and phospholipid-rich domains) are also readily imaged via the orientational response of the liquid crystal, as are stereospecific enzymatic events. These results suggest new principles for reporting biomolecular interactions at lipid-laden interfaces.