Simulation of bilayer membranes in soft confinement

The basic interactions underlying the bilayer membranes have been studied i n the biologically relevant soft confinement regime of interlayer spacing o f 5-30 Angstrom. Due to its unique molecular structure, a lipid membrane sh ows both liquid-like and liquid crystalline (elastic) characteristics. Mont e Carlo simulation of interacting membranes, conceived as a lamellar stack of lipid bilayers in aqueous environment, yields results in agreement with experimental findings. Temperature driven structural transitions involving fully anisotropic gel phase to disordered fluid phase have been confirmed b y simulation. The change induced in the gel-fluid transition due to the pre sence of excess cholesterol in the lipid bilayer is also been observed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.