MOLECULAR ORGANIZATION IN CELL MEMBRANES**

Authors

Austin S. Osby*, Department of Physics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912.Follow
Theja N. De Silva, Department of Physics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912.Follow

Abstract

Cell is the fundamental building blocks of all living matter. The cell consists of cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane where the cell membrane is composed of lipids and protein molecules. Lipid molecules form bilayer structures in cell membrane when they are in aqueous environments. All membrane proteins carry out their cellular functions while they are sitting at membrane sites. Due to the collective behavior of these molecules, they undergo self-organization and form various structures, such as phase separation and domain formations. We use a thermodynamics approach to study three-component molecular organization by modeling the interaction between molecules using spin variables. Converting the interacting spins into an effectively non-interacting variables using a mean-field theory, we calculate the Helmholtz free energy (HFE). Then by investigating the HFE, we construct the phase diagram and study the molecular organization in cell membranes.

Acknowledgements

Supported in part by the Augusta University Provost's office, and the Translational Research Program of the Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Recommended Citation

Osby*, Austin S. and De Silva, Theja N. (2018) "MOLECULAR ORGANIZATION IN CELL MEMBRANES**," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 76, No. 1, Article 21.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol76/iss1/21