Simulation of bilayer membranes in soft confinement

The basic interactions underlying the bilayer membranes have been studied in the biologically relevant soft confinement regime of interlayer spacing of 5–30Å. Due to its unique molecular structure, a lipid membrane shows both liquid-like and liquid crystalline (elastic) characteristics. Monte Carlo simulation of interacting membranes, conceived as a lamellar stack of lipid bilayers in aqueous environment, yields results in agreement with experimental findings. Temperature driven structural transitions involving fully anisotropic gel phase to disordered fluid phase have been confirmed by simulation. The change induced in the gel–fluid transition due to the presence of excess cholesterol in the lipid bilayer is also been observed.