A generic model for lipid monolayers, bilayers, and membranes

We describe a simple coarse-grained model which is suited to study lipid layers and their phase transitions. Lipids are modeled by short semiflexible chains of beads with a solvophilic head and a solvophobic tail component. They are forced to self-assemble into bilayers by a computationally cheap ‘phantom solvent’ environment. The model reproduces the most important phases and phase transitions of monolayers and bilayers. Technical issues such as Monte Carlo parallelization schemes are briefly discussed. Key words: membranes; coarse-grained simulations; phase transitions

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2007
• Where: CPHYSICS
• Authors: Friederike Schmid, Dominik Düchs, Olaf Lenz, Beate West
• Keywords: CPHYSICS 2007, Phase Transitions, Simple Coarse-grained Model, Solvophobic Tail Component