Materials Science of Supported Lipid Membranes

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assert that the creation of new materials capable of performing advanced technological functions, for example, complex Materials Science of and cooperative processes for memory, self-replication, and self-repair, will ulti- mately rely upon understanding and controlling dynamic self-assembly in both Supported Lipid natural and synthetic systems. We emphasize that understanding the interrelations between structure, assembly, dynamics, and function in lipid membranes con- Membranes tributes toward these broad objectives of contemporary materials science. Furthermore, there are many direct and Atul N. Parikh and Jay T. Groves, Guest Editors practical benefits of learning to devise synthetic materials that mimic the key properties of cellular membranes. Such Abstract materials may provide new classes of Supported membranes represent an elegant route to designing well-defined fluid biosensors, diagnostic tools, biocompati- interfaces which mimic many physical–chemical properties of biological membranes. ble materials, and high-throughput characterization platforms for rapid and early Recent years have witnessed rapid growth in the applications of physical and materials detection of interactions between cells and science approaches in understanding and controlling lipid membranes. Applying these their environment. Examples include sen- approaches is enabling the determination of their structure–dynamics–function relations sors and assays for detecting toxins and and allowing the design of membrane-mimetic devices. The collection of articles pathogens (e.g., in national security appli- presented in this issue of MRS Bulletin illustrates the breadth of activity in this growing cations), air and water quality monitoring, partnership between materials science and biophysics. Together, these articles highlight and drug screening platforms. They also some of the key challenges of cellular membranes and exemplify their utility in promise tools for life science research, for fundamental biophysical studies and technological applications. The topics covered example, in developing a molecular-level also confirm the importance of lipid membranes as an exciting example of soft understanding of cell surface mechanisms condensed matter. We hope that this issue will serve readers by highlighting the during cellular homeostasis and diseases. intellectual scope and emerging opportunities in this highly interdisciplinary area of ma- Within this framework, one ap- terials research. proach that is proving powerful involves interfacing lipid bilayer membranes to Keywords: biological, biomimetic, cellular. solid substrates via self-assembly and directed self-assembly methods. These membrane-mimicking architectures are Lipid bilayer membranes are the uni- materials. Important as they are, the range collectively referred to as supported mem- versal material of choice for defining and of functions in these materials is con- branes7 (Figure 1). controlling cellular organization in living strained by their static structure. In contrast, Supported membranes are typically systems. They are a major constituent of lipid bilayer membranes exploit their formed at the solid–liquid interface when the biological membranes that serve as the chemical heterogeneity, phase behavior, vesicular microphases of lipids spontane- outer boundary of cells and organelles.1 and dynamics to produce an impressive ously rupture and spread on hydrophilic As such, they serve as a means to com- set of time-dependent functions for the surfaces (Figures 1a and 1b). Alternative partmentalize, juxtapose, regulate, and biological membrane. Examples include strategies employ Langmuir–Blodgett generally mediate biomolecular interac- stimuli-induced protein clustering, lipid troughs to successively transfer two li- tions. The astounding complexity of life reorganization, and topographical changes pidic monolayers from the air–water in- is intimately associated with the diverse that regulate broad classes of biological terface onto planar surfaces3,8 (Figure 1c). physical–chemical properties of these mem- functions of membranes4,5 including sig- Recent studies reveal that single lipid bi- branes,2 which include two-dimensional naling, molecular recognition, and trans- layers can also form when dried lipids fluidity, material elasticity, thermal fluctu- port. This spatio-temporal mode of lipid stamped onto a hydrophilic surface expe- ations, chemical diversity, and rich phase organization, or dynamic self-assembly, rience hydration.9 In all of these cases, behavior.3 In this regard, developing a in biological membranes6 exemplifies a single lipid bilayers are separated from materials-science-based understanding of major shift in emphasis from thermody- the substrate surface through an interven- lipid membranes is an exciting endeavor. namic to kinetic regimes. Here, equilib- ing layer of hydration water (dark-blue Traditional approaches to materials rium structures (global free-energy layer in Figure 1d, variously estimated at synthesis have largely relied on uniform, minima) are replaced by higher-order 6–15 Å in thickness at bilayer–silica inter- equilibrated phases leading to static “con- organizational states representing facile faces) and exhibit two-dimensional conti- densed matter” structures, for example, transitions between various local meta- guity and fluidity resembling that of lipid monolithic single crystals. Over the past stable free-energy minima of different membranes of vesicles and living cells.10 several decades, these approaches have structures. Examples of synthetic mate- Each of the two lipid layers in the lipid bi- led to the development of a wide range of rials deliberately fabricated using such a layer is called a “leaflet.” In cells, the outer technologically useful materials including dynamic self-assembly approach are rare, leaflet is in contact with the extracellular semiconducting, ferroelectric, nonlinear reflecting the current lack of a fundamen- matrix, and the inner leaflet faces the cell optical, superconducting, and piezoelectric tal understanding of such processes. We cytoplasm. The precursor phases in these

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 31 • JULY 2006 507 Materials Science of Supported Lipid Membranes

issues and offers a strategy to cushion the membrane–substrate interface via ultra- thin polymer supports. He further demonstrates how the use of intercalated polymers may offer a materials route to modeling the generic role of the extracellular matrix and glycocalyx. The term glycocalyx refers to a variety of glycosylated proteins, glycolipids, and polymeric structures that often terminate cell surfaces. An important structural feature of lipid membranes in biology is their ability to bend. There is a growing recognition that membrane curvature is an active regulator of membrane microphase separation and a concentrator of important biological functions. Sasaki and Stevens emphasize the issue, survey a physical-science-based understanding of the formation of these submembrane structural features, and highlight associated materials issues. The perspective by Zhang and Granick illustrates the importance of advanced characterization methods in characteriz- ing the lateral dynamics in supported membranes. A long-standing issue, one with many inconsistencies, relates to the issue of complex translational dynamics. Figure 1. Schematic illustration of basic supported-membrane formation processes. Structural, chemical, and phase hetero- (a) Vesicles adsorb, fuse, and rupture at solid surfaces; (b) lipid stacks spontaneously geneities within membranes exist both spread upon hydration; and (c) two successive transfers of Langmuir–Blodgett monolayers statically and dynamically (such as in re- deposit pre-equilibrated lipid mixtures to form (d) single, supported bilayers on hydrophilic sponse to external stimuli, e.g., protein substrates. The dark-blue area is the intervening layer of hydration water between the binding). Moreover, these heterogeneities substrate and the lipid. often emerge independently in the two leaflets of the bilayer architecture. Complex approaches can consist of purified and provide an experimental test bed for ques- dynamics attending such asymmetries re- synthetically tailored lipids and their tions in soft condensed matter, interfacial quires advanced characterization tools ca- complex mixtures in predetermined com- confinement, low-dimensional phases, pable of measuring molecular diffusivities positions, providing molecular-level chemistry in two dimensions, reaction- at a range of length and time scales, also control over their structure, chemical com- diffusion systems, and wetting. discriminating the two leaflets. position, phase state, and lateral fluidity. Second, it demonstrates how the appli- The article by Wu et al. is focused on the Moreover, because these constructs inter- cation of principles, tools, and methodolo- permeability characteristics of cellular face membrane architecture with solid sub- gies developed extensively in one area of membranes. Using supported membranes strates, they are amenable to a broad suite science can benefit the development of an- and lipid monolayers, the authors illus- of surface analytical tools for molecular- other, disparate discipline. We emphasize trate how synthetic molecules (e.g., tri- scale characterization of their structure that the two-way traffic between funda- block copolymers) can be used to repair and dynamics and enable chip-based bio- mental studies of membranes and soft damaged membranes. They demonstrate analytical assays, sensors, and platforms. condensed matter research is rapidly elab- the ability of a class of triblock copolymers We hope that this issue of MRS Bulletin orating. The articles presented here merely to selectively incorporate within damaged serves to highlight the broad and rapidly illustrate, rather than provide a compre- or void regions of the membranes. Their evolving intellectual partnership between hensive survey of, the breadth and the study further reveals how cells might rid the materials sciences and membrane bio- scope of this partnership. the polymer from their membranes once physics. This partnership underscores an Despite its popularity, the supported the structural integrity of the membrane interdisciplinary perspective in at least membrane configuration experiences is restored. two ways. many challenges in modeling physical–- Another long-standing issue in solid- First, it reveals how generating a scien- chemical properties of biological mem- supported lipid bilayers that continues tific environment in which fundamental branes because of the coupling of the to hamper their practical application in concepts obtained through detailed study bilayer to the rigid substrate surface. This sensing and detection relates to their long- of systems in one scientific area can be interface suppresses thermally activated term stability. As Daniel et al. correctly rapidly applied to generate understand- membrane fluctuations, limits the incor- point out, “they lack the resiliency to with- ing toward other, traditionally distinct, poration of membrane proteins, induces stand air exposure and the thermal and disciplines. For instance, it illustrates how substrate-electrostatics-driven asymme- mechanical stresses associated with de- the supported-membrane-based studies, try, and hinders the translational mobili- vice transport, storage, and continuous aimed purportedly at understanding ties and phase equilibration in bilayers. use over long periods of time.” Their ar- and mimicking biological membranes, The article by Tanaka emphasizes these ticle summarizes several new strategies

508 MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 31 • JULY 2006 Materials Science of Supported Lipid Membranes

that mimic cellular cytoskeletons, thus en- hancing bilayer stability. The article by Fang et al. summarizes the current state of biomembrane technologies that enable the preservation and parallel display of functionally active membrane targets. This ability promises to deliver much-needed membrane- mimetic platforms for screening potential drug compounds against their membrane targets (e.g., G-protein coupled receptors, or GPCRs—a pervasive family of trans- membrane proteins, targeted by 40–50% drugs, that transduce a host of extracellular ligand-binding signals into intracel- lular signals). The overwhelming role of membrane proteins as pharmacological targets put this issue at the center of this technology development. The collection of review/perspective Figure 2. Schematic image of a living cell (at top) interacting with a supported-membrane- articles presented in this issue of MRS coated synthetic surface (at bottom). Natural protein signaling molecules may be Bulletin represents a growing body of ma- incorporated into the synthetic membrane, providing specific functionalities with which terials work targeted at understanding the living cell may interact. and controlling lipid membranes, largely in synthetic settings. These are complex toward understanding molecular interac- 2. D.W. Deamer, Origins Life 17 (1986) p. 3. systems that present many challenges— tions that characterize cellular homeosta- 3. R. Lipowsky and E. Sackmann, eds., Struc- many of which are highlighted within sis and disease. Several of these exciting ture and Dynamics of Membranes (North- these reviews. Complex as the issues are, applications are already paying divi- Holland, Amsterdam, 1995). there is plenty of room for optimism. dends, and with greater development of 4. K. Simons and D. Toomre, Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Supported membranes have proved re- the system from a controlled materials Biol. 1 (2000) p. 31. markably successful in a number of appli- perspective, we can anticipate much more 5. S. Damjanovich, R. Gaspar, and C. Pieri, cations, including as a means of creating yet to come. Q. Rev. Biophys. 30 (1997) p. 67. 6. G. Vereb, J. Szollosi, J. Matko, P. Nagy, T. surrogate cell surfaces for interactions Farkas, L. Vigh, L. Matyus, T.A. Waldmann, with other living cells. Most visually evoca- Acknowledgments and S. Damjanovich, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA tive among these implementations, per- This work is supported by grants from 100 (2003) p. 8053. haps, are the immunological synapses that Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of 7. E. Sackmann, Science 271 (1996) p. 43. have been induced to form between living Energy, and a partnership grant between 8. L.K. Tamm and H.M. McConnell, Biophys. T cells and supported membranes.11,12 J.T. Groves and A.N. Parikh from the Na- J. 47 (1985) p. 105. Building on this methodology, the sup- tional Science Foundation Center for Bio- 9. J. Nissen, K. Jacobs, and J.O. Radler, Phys. ported membrane configuration provides photonics Science and Technology at the Rev. Lett. 86 (2001) p. 1904. an avenue to introduce patterns of exter- 10. J.T. Groves and S.G. Boxer, Acc. Chem. Res. University of California, Davis. 35 (3) (2002) p. 149. nal stimuli—including inorganic nano- 11. A.A. Brian and H.M. McConnell, Proc. Natl. structures, surface patterns, signaling References Acad. Sci. USA–Bio. Sci. 81 (1984) p. 6159. molecules, and oxidative stresses—to cells 1. J. Darnell, H. Lodish, and D. Baltimore, 12. A. Grakoui, S.K. Bromley, C. Sumen, M.M. using their own receptors as liaisons (see Molecular Cell Biology (W.H. Freeman, San Fran- Davis, A.S. Shaw, P.M. Allen, and M.L. Dustin, ٗ .Figure 2). These abilities offer promise cisco, 1990). Science 285 (1999) p. 221

Atul N. Parikh, Guest the chemical science and Parikh can be reached Editor for this issue of bioscience divisions at Los at the University of Cali- MRS Bulletin, is an asso- Alamos National Labo- fornia, Davis, Depart- ciate professor of applied ratory from 1996 to 2001. ment of Applied science at the University His present research Science, 3007 Engineer- of California, Davis. He interests include molec- ing III, One Shields received his BChemEng ular and mesoscale self- Avenue, Davis, CA degree from the Univer- assembly, physical 95616-8254 USA; tel. sity of Bombay and his chemistry of surfaces, 530-754-7055, fax 530- PhD degree from the phase transitions and 752-2444, and e-mail Materials Science and cooperative processes, [email protected]. Engineering Department nanoscale phenomena, at the Pennsylvania and biomolecular spec- Jay T. Groves, Guest State University. Previ- troscopy spanning soft Editor for this issue of Atul N. Parikh Jay T. Groves ously, he was a postdoc- condensed matter, mem- MRS Bulletin, has been a at the University of his BS degree in physics toral scholar and then a brane biophysics, and faculty member of the California, Berkeley, and chemistry at Tufts technical staff member in cell biology. Chemistry Department since 2001. He earned University, followed by

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 31 • JULY 2006 509 Materials Science of Supported Lipid Membranes

Fernando Albertorio Paul S. Cremer Susan Daniel Ye Fang Shelli L. Frey his PhD degree from received his BS degree of Chemistry, 3255 degree in biophysical an NSF graduate research Stanford University in in chemistry in 1998 TAMU, College Station, chemistry in 1995 from fellowship, a Fulbright biophysics, working from the Pontifical TX 77845 USA; tel. 979- the Institute of Chemis- fellowship, a Beckman with Steve Boxer and Catholic University of 862-1200, fax 979-845- try at the Chinese Acad- scholarship, and a Gold- Harden McConnell. Puerto Rico. Since join- 7561, and e-mail cremer@ emy of Sciences in Beijing. water scholarship. During his PhD work, ing the Cremer group in mail.chem.tamu.edu. He then carried out Frey can be reached Groves first began to 2001, his research has postdoctoral research in at the University of work with supported focused on developing Susan Daniel is a biophysics at the Univer- Chicago, Department of membranes and devel- biomimetic sensors postdoctoral research sity of Vermont from Chemistry, 5735 S. Ellis oped strategies for pat- using supported lipo- associate at Texas A&M 1995 to 1996 and at the Avenue, Chicago, IL terning supported polymer membranes. University. She received Johns Hopkins Univer- 60637 USA; tel. 773- membranes on surfaces. His interests are in the her PhD degree in sity’s School of Medi- 834-4036, fax 773-702- After graduation, he areas of nanotechnology, chemical engineering cine from 1996 to 2000. 0805, and e-mail spent a year as a visiting bioMEMs, and mem- from Lehigh University Fang joined Corning [email protected]. scholar at Academia brane biophysics. in 2005. She then moved as a senior research sci- Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan; Albertorio can be to Texas A&M to work entist in 2000. His areas Steve Granick is he then took an indepen- reached at Texas A&M with Paul S. Cremer in of research include bio- Founder Professor of dent position as a divi- University, Department the Department of physics, nucleic acid Materials, a professor sion director’s fellow at of Chemistry, 3255 Chemistry. Since joining chemistry, cell biology, of chemistry, and a pro- the Lawrence Berkeley TAMU, College Station, Cremer’s group, her re- protein microarrays, fessor of physics at the National Laboratory. TX 77843 USA; e-mail search has focused on scanning probe micros- University of Illinois at His research interests [email protected]. solid-supported lipid copies, and optical Urbana-Champaign. He involve the role of spa- tamu.edu. bilayers for biosensing biosensors. He has pub- received his BA degree tial organization as a applications, studies of lished more 70 papers. from Princeton Univer- mechanism of regulating Paul S. Cremer is a pro- protein interactions in Fang can be reached sity in 1978 and a PhD the chemical reactions of fessor of chemistry at bilayers, and nanopore at Corning Inc., 1 Sci- degree from the Univer- life. In recent work, his Texas A&M University. technology. ence Center Drive, SP- sity of Wisconsin– group has introduced He received his PhD de- Daniel can be reached FR-01-5, Painted Post, Madison in 1982. He the idea of using spa- gree in chemistry from at Texas A&M Univer- NY 14870 USA; tel. 607- joined the faculty of tially patterned sup- the University of Cali- sity, Department of 974-7203 and e-mail UIUC in 1985, following ported membranes to fornia, Berkeley, in 1996 Chemistry, MS 3255, fangy2@ corning.com. postdoctoral research at generate “spatial muta- and spent two years as a College Station, TX the Collège de France tions” of living signal- postdoctoral fellow at 77845 USA; tel. 979-845- Shelli L. Frey is a with P.-G. de Gennes transduction networks. Stanford University be- 7638 and e-mail sdaniel@ doctoral student at the and at the University Groves can be reached fore beginning his aca- mail.chem.tamu.edu. University of Chicago. of Minnesota with at the University of Cali- demic career at Texas She received her BS in Matthew Tirrell. His re- fornia, Berkeley, Chem- A&M in 1998. His re- Ye Fang is a research chemistry from Haver- search interests are in the istry Department, 105 search interests fall in the associate at Corning Inc. ford College and her MS areas of single-molecule Lewis Hall, Berkeley, field of biological inter- and a visiting professor degree in chemistry methods, polymers, trib- CA 94720-1460 USA; tel. faces, physical chem- at the Graduate School from the University of ology, complex fluids, 510-643-0186, fax 510- istry, and biotechnology. of Chemistry and Chicago. Her research and biomaterials. He 486-6059, and e-mail His laboratory currently Chemical Engineering, interests are in bio- has published more [email protected]. investigates problems Chinese Academy of physical chemistry, ex- than 190 papers on ranging from protein Sciences. He received ploring substrate–lipid these topics. Fernando Albertorio is a folding and biofouling his BS degree in chem- interactions in the cell A fellow of the Ameri- graduate student in the to interfacial water struc- istry in 1989 from Hubei membrane and, more can Physical Society, he is Department of Chem- ture and multivalency. University, his MS degree specifically, polymer in- chair of the Division of istry at Texas A&M Uni- Cremer can be in physical chemistry in teractions with model Polymer Physics and as- versity, working with reached at Texas A&M 1992 from Wuhuan Uni- lipid membranes. She sociate of the Center for Paul S. Cremer. He University, Department versity, and his PhD has been the recipient of Advanced Study at UIUC.

510 MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 31 • JULY 2006 Materials Science of Supported Lipid Membranes

Steve Granick Yulong Hong Joydeep Lahiri Ka Yee C. Lee Stacey A. Maskarinec

Granick can be Hong can be reached electrical engineering Margaret Oakley and e-mail stacey@ reached at the Uni- at Corning Inc., 1 Sci- from Brown University Dayhoff Award, and an caltech.edu. versity of Illinois at ence Center Drive, SP- in 1986, and her MS and Alfred P. Sloan fellowship. Urbana-Champaign, FR-01-5, Painted Post, PhD degrees in applied Lee can be reached Darryl Y. Sasaki is a Department of Materials NY 14870 USA; tel. 607- physics from Harvard at the University of staff scientist at Sandia Science and Engineer- 974-1171 and e-mail University in 1987 and Chicago, Department of National Laboratories in ing, 201 MSEB, MC 246, [email protected]. 1992, respectively. She Chemistry, 5735 S. Ellis the Biomolecular Inter- 1304 W. Green Street, did her first postdoc- Avenue, Chicago, IL faces and Systems De- Urbana, IL 61801 USA; Joydeep Lahiri is the re- toral training in chemis- 60637 USA; tel. 773-702- partment. He obtained tel. 217-333-5720, fax search director of bio- try at Stanford University 7068, fax 773-702-0805, his BS degree in chem- 217-244-2278, and chemical technologies in and her second in chem- and e-mail kayeelee@ istry from the Univer- e-mail sgranick@ the Science and Technol- ical engineering at the uchicago.edu. sity of Hawaii and his uiuc.edu. ogy Division of Corning University of California at PhD degree in organic Inc. He obtained his Santa Barbara. She joined Stacey A. Maskarinec is chemistry from the Uni- Yulong Hong is a re- bachelor’s degree from the faculty of the Univer- currently an MD/PhD versity of California, search associate at Corn- St. Stephen’s College in sity of Chicago in 1998. degree candidate in the Irvine. He was a re- ing Inc. He received his Delhi, India, his mas- Her research focuses UCLA/Caltech Medical search associate at the BS degree in chemistry ter’s degree from the In- on the interaction of Scientist Training Pro- ERATO Kunitake Pro- in 1987, his MS degree dian Institute of lipids with proteins or gram. She received a BS ject in Japan and at the in analytical chemistry Technology in Kanpur, polymers at interfaces, degree in chemistry California Institute of in 1990 from Peking and his doctoral degree and she has carried out from the University of Technology. His current University, and his PhD in chemistry from biophysical studies to Chicago in 2002, where research interests are in degree in biochemistry Princeton University. He elucidate the role of she authored several self-assembled systems, in 1996 from City Uni- carried out postdoctoral membranes in beta- publications describing molecular recognition, versity of New York. research at Harvard amyloid aggregation, the interaction of tri- biomembrane structure, After a year as a post- University. Lahiri then the functioning of lung block copolymers with and sensor materials. doctoral researcher in joined Corning in 1999 surfactant, the targeting lipid monolayers under Sasaki can be reached the Biological Chemistry as a senior research sci- selectivity of antimicro- the direction of Ka Yee at Sandia National Lab- Department at the entist. His research in- bial peptides, the mech- C. Lee. She was the 2002 oratories, PO Box 969, University of Michigan, terests include label-free anism of membrane recipient of the F. & I. MS 9292, Livermore, CA he joined the Depart- technologies, micro- sealing by polymers, Scherer Memorial 94551 USA; tel. 925-294- ment of Molecular array technologies, and and the interaction of Award for outstanding 2922, fax 925-294-3020, Neuroscience at Parke- biosurfaces. cholesterol with lipids in achievement in under- and e-mail dysasak@ David Pharmaceutical Lahiri can be reached membranes. graduate research. In sandia.gov. Co. in Ann Arbor, at Corning Inc., 1 Sci- Lee has received a 2004, she joined the Michigan, as a research ence Center Drive, SP- Dreyfus New Faculty laboratory of David A. Mark J. Stevens is a fellow. He then joined FR-01-5, Painted Post, Award, a March of Tirrell to pursue her staff scientist at Sandia Corning as a senior NY 14870 USA; tel. 607- Dimes Basil O’Connor doctoral research in National Laboratories. research scientist in 974-9039 and e-mail Starter Scholar Research chemistry. Her primary He received a BS degree 2000. His areas of re- [email protected]. Award, a Searle Scholar focus is on the design of in physics and a BA de- search include assay Award, a David and artificial proteins for gree in mathematics development for high- Ka Yee C. Lee is an Lucile Packard science biomaterials, for which from the University of throughput drug dis- associate professor in the and engineering fellow- she was awarded an Cincinnati, and a PhD covery, DNA and Department of Chem- ship, the American Health NIH fellowship. degree in physics from protein microarrays, istry, the Institute for Assistance Foundation’s Maskarinec can be the Johns Hopkins Uni- cell biology, molecular Biophysical Dynamics, Ruth Salta Junior Inves- reached at Caltech, 1200 versity. His current re- biology, parasitology, and the James Franck tigator Achievement E. California Blvd., MC search is focused on and yeast genetics. Institute at the Univer- Award in Alzheimer’s 210-41, Pasadena, CA, biomembranes, mem- Hong has published sity of Chicago. She re- Disease Research, the 91125 USA; tel. 626-395- brane proteins, charged more than 20 papers. ceived her ScB degree in Biophysical Society’s 2511, fax 626-793-8472, polymers, adhesives,

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 31 • JULY 2006 511 Materials Science of Supported Lipid Membranes

Brian Webb is a senior and the Elizabeth R. research scientist at Norton Prize for Excel- Corning Inc. He received lence in Research in a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Uni- biochemistry from versity of Chicago. Brigham Young Univer- Wu can be reached at sity in 1992 and a PhD the University of Cali- degree in biochemistry fornia, Santa Barbara, from the University of Department of Chemical Wisconsin–Madison in Engineering, Santa Bar- 1997. He then did a bara, CA 93106-5080 postdoctoral fellowship USA; tel. 805-893-4349 at the University of Cali- and e-mail guohuiwu@ Darryl Y. Sasaki Mark J. Stevens Motomu Tanaka fornia, Berkeley, from engineering.ucsb.edu. 1997 to 2000 before joining Corning in 2000. His Liangfang Zhang is a research interests in- graduate student in the clude high content screening, cell-based Chemical and Biomo- assays, and protein mi- lecular Engineering croarray technologies. Department at the Uni- Webb can be reached versity of Illinois at at Corning Inc., 1 Sci- Urbana-Champaign. He ence Center Drive, SP- received his BS and MS FR-01-5, Painted Post, degrees from the Chem- NY 14870 USA; tel. 607- ical Engineering Depart- 974-9069 and e-mail ment at Tsinghua [email protected]. University in China in Brian Webb Guohui Wu Liangfang Zhang 2000 and 2002, respec- Guohui Wu is currently tively. Under the guid- a postdoctoral research ance of Steve Granick at biopolymer networks, ment of Physics at the a professor of biophysi- associate at the Univer- UIUC, his current re- and self-assembled Technical University of cal chemistry in the sity of California, Santa search involves dynam- monolayers. Munich (TUM) as a fel- Institute of Physical Barbara. She received ics of single lipids and Stevens can be low of both the Japan Chemistry at the Uni- her PhD degree in phys- proteins in lipid mem- reached at Sandia ical chemistry from the Society for the Promo- versity of Heidelberg. branes, phases and phase National Laboratories, tion of Science and the His research interests University of Chicago in PO Box 5800, MS 1411, transitions of biomem- Alexander von Humboldt cover physics of cells, 2005. For her graduate Albuquerque, NM branes, and nanoparticle– Foundation. From 2001 biological membranes, work, she studied the 87185 USA; tel. 505-844- interaction between liposome complexes. to 2005, he led an inde- and biopolymers and 1937, fax 505-844-9781, lipid membranes and Zhang can be reached pendent research group their applications in and e-mail msteve@ triblock copolymers. at the University of sandia.gov. at the TUM as an Emmy materials science. Her current postdoc- Illinois at Urbana- Noether Fellow of the Tanaka can be reached toral research involves Champaign, Materials Motomu Tanaka re- German Science Foun- at the University of Hei- developing biomaterials Research Laboratory, ceived his PhD degree dation (DFG) and re- delberg, Institute for and nanoparticles as 104 South Goodwin Av- from Kyoto University ceived the habilitation Physical Chemistry, carriers for drug deliv- enue, Urbana, IL 61801 in 1998. He joined the degree in experimental D69120 Heidelberg, Ger- ery. She received a Bur- USA; tel. 217-244-7386 group of Erich Sack- physics from the TUM many; e-mail tanaka@ roughs Wellcome Fund and e-mail zhang6@ ٗ .mann in the Depart- in 2005. He then became uni-heidelberg.de. Interfaces fellowship uiuc.edu

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512 www.mrs.org/bulletin MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 31 • JULY 2006