Impact of different Ceramides to Structure of Stratum corneum lipid model membranes

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Reinhard Neubert
• Subject Area: Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry ; Pharmacy
• Term: from 2009 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 111185811

Quaternary systems composed of defined Stratum corneum (SC) - lipids will be prepared as oriented multilamellar membranes on a quartz surface. The influence of different SC lipid species with focus on the ceramides to the nanostructure and the properties of these membranes will be investigated using neutron diffraction. The main advantage of neutron diffraction is the use specifically deuterated ceramides for the investigation as the position of those deuterated molecular groups are easily detectable within the SC lipid model membranes.In this project the influence of different SC lipids – especially the role of the most hydrophilic ceramide [AP] and of the most lipophilic ceramide [EOS] with the very long N-acetyl tail will be investigated in order to confirm the armature reinforcement model. Therefore, specifically deuterated ceramide [AP] and ceramide [EOS] are to be synthesized in this project. Furthermore, the impact of ceramide [AS] on the nanostructure SC lipid model membranes is to be studied.This project will be carried out through the collaboration between chemists, pharmacists as well as through the cooperation with physicists from the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Russia
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Bodo Dobner; Dr. Mikhail Kiselev