Wetting properties of model biological membranes

• Hydration of lipid layers as a model of native biological membranes
• Wettability of model biological membranes
• Effect of kind of solid support on the contact angle and surface of the lipid layers
• Changes in the hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of the surface caused by enzymes

Various aspects of native and model biological membrane wettability are discussed. Among others hydration of mono-, bi-, and multi-layers of lipids as well as wettability of macroscopic surfaces of solid supported lipid films was investigated via apparent contact angle measurements and calculation of the apparent surface free energy of the films. The effects of relative humidity on the layer hydration and contact angle changes are also discussed. Finally, the effect of liposomes and enzymes (due to the hydrolysis reactions) on the hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of the film surfaces is overviewed.

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