The contribution of non-covalent interactions for incorporation, organization, and dynamics of peptide helices in lipid membranes

Based on β-peptide transmembrane domains (TMDs), successfully designed and synthesized in the previous funding period, it is the aim of this funding period to analyze how TMDs orient in lipid bilayers, and how helices interact with each other in the lipid environment to form larger aggregates as a function of helix width, length and dipole moment as well as lipid composition. Specific molecular recognition units will be established to organize helices in bundles creating functional membrane channels and pores.