Verifying Scalings For Bending Rigidity Of Bilayer Membranes Using Mesoscale Models

Content Provider	Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Author	Thakkar, Foram M. Maiti, Prabal K. Kumaran, V. Ayappa, K. G.
Copyright Year	2011
Abstract	The bending rigidity kappa of bilayer membranes was studied with coarse grained soft repulsive potentials using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. Using a modified Andersen barostat to maintain the bilayers in a tensionless state, the bending rigidity was obtained from a Fourier analysis of the height fluctuations. From simulations carried out over a wide range of membrane thickness, the continuum scaling relation kappa proportional to d(2) was captured for both the L-alpha and L-beta phases. For membranes with 4 to 6 tail beads, the bending rigidity in the L-beta phase was found to be 10-15 times higher than that observed for the L-alpha phase. From the quadratic scalings obtained, a six fold increase in the area stretch modulus, k(A) was observed across the transition. The magnitude of increase in both kappa and k(A) from the L-alpha to the L-beta phase is consistent with current experimental observations in lipid bilayers and to our knowledge provides for the first time a direct evaluation of the mechanical properties in the L-beta phase.
File Format	PDF
Journal	PeerReviewed
Language	English
Publisher	Royal Society of Chemistry
Publisher Date	2011-01-01
Access Restriction	Authorized
Subject Keyword	Chemical Engineering Physics
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article