Effects of Normal and Lateral Electric Fields on Membrane Mechanical Properties
Nicholas Pogharian,
Petia M. Vlahovska,
Monica Olvera de la Cruz
Abstract:As a core component of biological and synthetic membranes, lipid bilayers are key to compartmentalizing chemical processes. Bilayer morphology and mechanical properties are heavily influenced by electric fields, such as those caused by biological ion concentration gradients. We present atomistic simulations exploring the effects of electric fields applied normally and laterally to lipid bilayers. We find that normal fields decrease membrane tension, while lateral fields increase it. Free energy perturbation ca… Show more
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