CHAPTER 13: NMR of Lipids and Lipid/Peptide Mixtures

NMR has provided a detailed description of the molecular order, dynamics and phase behaviour of lipid model membranes. Membrane proteins are not only incorporated into this lipid matrix but interact intimately with its molecular components. Properties of the lipid bilayer, such as orientational order and dynamics, are shared by the proteins. An understanding of the physical behaviour of the lipid bilayer not only provides insight into membrane processes but also helps the experimentalist to design new approaches for studying membrane molecular structure and function. This article reviews the contributions made by NMR to the study of lipids and lipid/peptide mixtures.