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April 25, 2021

Disc-shaped structures called bicelles

Researchers used neutron and X-ray scattering techniques to characterize disc-shaped structures called bicelles that mimic cell membranes. The rim of the disc comprises a detergent (purple) and the disc’s center is made up of glycerophospholipids (green), sphingomyelin (blue) and cholesterol (gold).

[Research supported by U.S. National Science Foundation grants DBI 0922862 and DMR 0520547.]

Learn more about this research in the PennState news story Novel cell membrane model could be key to uncovering new protein properties. (Date of image: unknown; date originally posted to NSF Multimedia Gallery: April 25, 2021)

Credit: ORNL/Jill Hemman


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