Molecular Recognition / Transformation Based on Membrane Dynamics

Abstract

Biomembranes have attracted much attention for the design of functional membranes because biomembranes possesses the variety of potential functions and induce the necessary functions in response to the environmental changes. We have previously revealed the dynamic property of a closed bilayer membranes composed of phospholipids (liposome) that is usually used as a model biomembrane, with a dielectric dispersion analysis. A lateral diffusion, a rotational Brownian motion of phospholipids within a lipid membranes and lipid–lipid (or other molecules) interactions comprised a dynamics of lipid membranes. These modes strongly correlated with each other to hierarchically constitute the hydration structure, phase separation behavior, membrane fluidity, or permeability to solute, and membrane undulation. Based on the hierarchical dynamics of membranes, chemical conversion on membranes was demonstrated: (i) oxidation reaction of hydroxyl methyl furfural; (ii) aldorl condensation reaction of benzaldehyde; polymerization reaction of (iii) lactide and (iv) aniline. From these case studies, the microscopic and macroscopic dynamic properties could well control the reaction process on lipid membranes.