Combination of DSC and X-ray diffraction in the study of the phase behaviour of lipids. Mini-review

The phase behaviour and phase stability of lipids are of importance in an u nderstanding of the biological functions of cell membranes. Among a variety of physical techniques employed to study the phase behaviour and structura l properties of polar lipids, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray d iffraction have proved to be successful and are the most frequently used me thods. Applications involving a combination of the two techniques, particul arly when synchrotron radiation is used as the light source of X-ray diffra ction, are reviewed in this article.