Biomimetic membranes modified with microbial glycolipids: behavior and properties – MOWGLY

The development of biobased chemicals and related materials is one of the challenges of sustainable chemistry. When oil exploitation will come to an end, society should be prepared to replace petro-derived molecules with new biobased ones, possibly of high functionality and available in large amounts. Detergents and amphiphiles in general are one of the high priorities. In this context, MOWGLY studies new biobased glycolipid amphiphiles (obtained from the fermentation of biomass) within the context of developing new functional membranes. Fundamental knowledge of biomembranes is crucial to develop isotropic colloidal objects (vesicles, multilamellar vesicles) or anisotropic soft materials (2D supported layers) necessary for the development of advanced drug carriers, vaccines or sensors. MOWGLY studies membranes composed of both microbial amphiphiles (sophorolipids, rhamnolipids, glucolipids) alone and their interactions with phospholipids, mimicking both prokaryotic and eukaryotic membranes. MOWGLY studies the properties (rigidity, melting temperature, phase), structure (thickness, asymmetry, roughness, phase segregation) and stimuli (pH, ion) responsivity of membranes using three complementary approaches, which will be compared quantitatively: in suspension (using SAXS, neutron spin echo, microscopy, pipette aspiration), on surface (using Langmuir Blodgett, AFM, high-speed AFM) and in silico (employing molecular dynamics). The influence of several parameters, including pH (4, 7, 9), ion type (mono-, divalent) and medium (water, buffers) on the properties of the membranes will be studied to assess their stimuli-response. MOWGLY gathers together partners expert in physical chemistry, lipid science, biophysics as well as beamline scientists of the most performing large-scale facilities in the world, ILL and ESRF.