Bertrand Deloche

Bio: Bertrand Deloche is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Resonance. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 100 citations.

Physical principles of membrane organization.

Abstract: Membranes are the most common cellular structures in both plants and animals. They are now recognized as being involved in almost all aspects of cellular activity ranging from motility and food entrapment in simple unicellular organisms, to energy transduction, immunorecognition, nerve conduction and biosynthesis in plants and higher organisms. This functional diversity is reflected in the wide variety of lipids and particularly of proteins that compose different membranes. An understanding of the physical principles that govern the molecular organization of membranes is essential for an understanding of their physiological roles since structure and function are much more interdependent in membranes than in, say, simple chemical reactions in solution. We must recognize, however, that the word ‘understanding’ means different things in different disciplines, and nowhere is this more apparent than in this multidisciplinary area where biology, chemistry and physics meet.

Deuterium magnetic resonance: theory and application to lipid membranes.

Abstract: Proton and carbon-13 nmr spectra of unsonicated lipid bilayers and biological membranes are generally dominated by strong proton–proton and proton–carbon dipolar interactions. As a result the spectra contain a large number of overlapping resonances and are rather difficult to analyse. Nevertheless, important information on the structure and dynamic behaviour of lipid systems has been provided by these techniques (Wennerstrom & Lindblom, 1977).

Phase transitions and fluidity characteristics of lipids and cell membranes.

Abstract: The concept that the liquid crystalline or mesomorphic condition was of importance to biological systems is a relatively old idea. Thus Bernal (1933) when discussing the different types of arrangements of molecules in liquid crystals commented ‘Such structures belong to the liquid crystal as a unit and not to its molecules which may be replaced by others without destroying them and they persist in spite of the complete fluidity of the substance. These are just the properties to be required for a degree of organization between that of the continuous substance, liquid or crystalline solid and even the simplest living cell.’ Stewart (1961) some thirty years later also stated that ‘It is this property – the combination of flow and lability with a preferred and relatively stable molecular orientation – that makes the mesomorphic (i.e. liquid crystal) phase uniquely appropriate to the structure of protoplasm and living tissue.’