Neutron beams at the UK’s ISIS facility will probe the atomic-scale interactions between the molecules that make up cell membranes. Cell membranes control what enters and leaves every living cell—they are the gatekeepers for nutrients, drugs, and signals between brain cells. Despite their central role in life, the atomic details of how membrane molecules interact with each other remain poorly understood. This project combines neutron scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and computer modelling to build atomically accurate pictures of membrane structure. If successful, the work will reveal the precise molecular mechanisms behind how drugs cross into cells, how neurotransmitters pass messages between brain cells, and how toxins or antimicrobial agents disrupt membranes. This is fundamental science—it will not directly produce a new drug or device. But understanding membrane architecture at the atomic level is a necessary step toward designing better pharmaceuticals, targeting drug delivery, and explaining how external agents damage cells. Past fundamental work on molecular structure has repeatedly opened unexpected routes to practical applications.
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The focus of this work is observe the atomic and molecular interactions between molecules which comprise cell membranes. Cellular membranes are the gate-keepers of life. Life has evolved from single-celled organisms to more complex multi-cellular organisms partially because of the compartmentalization of cell membranes. In the last century one of the great challenges was to decode DNA - the molecular blueprint for life. In the next century one of the greatest challenges is to understand how membranes are formed and function; as they are not only everywhere but are also necessary to sustain life. Cell membranes control what can go into and out of the cell, the so-called 'molecular traffic' acting as gate-keepers. This role is important in controlling disease, disease and nutritional balance in different parts of the human body. This research proposes to look at the interactions between the molecules which make up biological membranes on the atomic scale, where one can see how individual atoms in different molecules interact with one another. This is important because it reveals the details of interactions and can inform us about how these interactions take place. The techniques which will be used to see the atomic structure of membranes are neutron scattering techniques using the UK ISIS neutron facilities which are located at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories in Oxfordshire (UK) and managed by the UK government funded Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Measurements of these molecules using neutrons shows the details of interactions between the different atoms present. Another technique which will be used is Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) which allows for different atomic aspects of the membrane to be seen. Combing this with computer models, we will be able to build a structure of the membrane which is atomically accurate. Understanding membranes is important for a variety of reasons. First they are present in all plants and animals and indeed are one of the reasons that life exists. Understanding the structure of membranes is also needed to understand the regulation of cell activity and so this research will have a major impact on our understanding of the mechanisms of transport across the cell membrane, such as drugs and nutrients. The results of the study will aid descriptions of many of the things that membranes do, such as signal transduction - which is important in passing messages between brain cells and the body via molecules called neurotransmitters, the passage of drugs into cells and the effect of external influences on cells from toxins and antimicrobial agents.
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