Abishek Muralimohan, Douglas B. Weibel (DMR #0520527)

[Image391]We are studying the role of curvature-induced lipid localization in bacterial cell membranes as a mechanism of controlling proteins at interfaces.

We have developed a technique for controlling bacterial cell curvature by growing cells in microchannels embossed in hydrogels. Using these materials we are measuring the curvature for spontaneous localization of cardiolipin in the cell membrane.

Our goal is to initially characterize this phenomenon in vivo and then to explore it in vitro using liquid crystalline interfaces. The long-term goal is to dynamically control proteins at interfaces by modulating the curvature or topography of a material.