Molecular interactions between cell membranes and other molecules play important roles in many subjects such as drug delivery, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity and selectivity. In this research, we applied sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy to investigate molecular interactions between model cell membranes and a variety of different molecules and nanoparticles in situ in real time, supplemented by attenuated total reflectance (ATR) � Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Our research indicates that small amphiphilic antibiotic molecules can penetrate into the cell membrane, with an orientation perpendicular to the membrane surface. The interactions between the antibiotic molecules and various cell membranes are very different, interpreting the activity and selectivity of various antibiotic molecules. Other drug molecules and molecules used for drug delivery have been studied. In addition, interactions between various nanoparticles such as Au and polymer nanoparticles and model cell membranes as well as real cells were also examined. It was found that different nanoparticles enter into cells with different pathways.

Molecular interactions between cell membranes and drug molecules as well as nanoparticles

247th National Meeting (2014)

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