Glycolipid-cholesterol monolayers: Towards a better understanding of the interaction between the membrane components

► The presence of cholesterol in glycolipid films yields condensed phase domains with an organized molecular arrangement. ► The formation of condensed phase domains is driven by chain ordering of both cholesterol and β-Mal3O(C16+4)2. ► The maltooligosaccharide headgroup has a strong propensity for hydrogen bonding.