This project will investigate how oxidative stress alters the structure and behaviour of lipid-based membranes using well-defined model systems. The work will focus on lipid mono- and bilayers, with the possibility of attaching membrane-associated proteins, to understand how oxidation products influence membrane organisation, stability, and protein interactions. Since oxidative degradation of lipids releases small organic molecules that can interfere with membrane function, the project aims to clarify how these changes emerge at the interface.
Neutron reflectivity will be central to the project, enabling detailed structural analysis of lipid layers under controlled conditions. By preparing mixed monolayers on a Langmuir trough and utilising isotopic contrast variation (H₂O/D₂O sub-phase matching and deuterated components), the measurements will track changes in thickness, composition, and organisation as oxidation progresses. Data will be collected across different surface pressures and analysed through simultaneous model fitting of multiple contrasts.
The project will provide molecular-level insight into how lipid interfaces respond to oxidative stress, contributing to a deeper understanding of structural processes relevant to inflammation and other biological pathways.