Speaker
Description
Lipid sponge phase nanoparticles (L₃NPs) are emerging as versatile carriers for biomolecular delivery due to their curved flexible bilayer structures and interconnected aqueous channels. These bicontinuous nanostructures enable efficient encapsulation of large, sensitive biomolecules, including proteins. However, scalable production
methods and mechanistic insights into their membrane interactions remain underexplored. We use a microfluidic approach to fabricate L₃NPs with and without the heme protein myoglobin (Mb), and investigate their structural features and interfacial behavior with model lipid membranes using a combination of scattering, microscopy, and surface-sensitive techniques. By using neutron reflectometry and different isotopic contrast, H2O and D2O buffers, and deuterated lipids, we can separate between the different components, i.e. lipids and protein. Both lipids and protein (myoglobin) and lipids enter the model biomembrane, consisting of POPC. We show that the integrity of the model membrane is maintained and only lipid exchange occurs with protein free L₃NPs.
