Interphase behavior of a novel non-ionic azobenzene amphiphile. Towards a new membrane photoswitch

BENEDINI LUCIANO; SEQUIEIRA ALEJANDRA; FANANI LAURA; BRUNI MAGGIO; DODERO VERONICA

Carlos Paz, Cordoba

Congreso; XLII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Biofísica Argentina; 2013

Sociedad Argentina de Biofísica

The comprehension of the stimulus-response behavior in biological is a great challenge [1]. In this context, azobenzenes amphiphiles are versatile compounds which could be used as molecular switches triggered by light [2]. We have obtained a new non-ionic amphiphile with photomodulated capacities that allow using it as a membrane photoswitch. The film properties at different temperatures of the pure derivative in both conformations were evaluated in Langmuir films at the air-water interface. The capability of interaction and modification of a membrane model was evaluated by polarized optical microscopy, electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. In Gibbs monolayers, penetration experiments showed that both isomers were able to interact differentially with the lipid monolayer. The (Z) isomers showed the highest surface pressure cut off probably related to the increased the polarity of the molecule.