A Web-based Relational Database for Thermodynamic and Structure Data on Lipids

Ohio State University Research Foundation -Do Not Use, Columbus OH

Investigators

Abstract

Project Abstract DBI 9981990 Caffrey Ohio State University A web-based Relational Database for Thermodynamic and Structure Data on Lipids Selectively permeable membranes are an essential feature of living cells. The membrane is a bimolecular lipid leaflet in and on which are situated proteins and other molecules. Lipid mesomorphism, or liquid crystallinity, allows for the positioning of the membrane on the verge of bilayer stability thereby modulating membrane function. Interest in the mesomorphic properties of biological and synthetic lipids within the biochemistry and biophysics communities has grown enormously in the past three decades. As a result, there exists a wealth of information on lipid phase behavior, much of which is scattered throughout the literature. The objective of this proposal is to provide ready web access to these data, to lipid molecular structures and to the appropriate literature in a continuously updated relational database and a means for data submission and analysis over the web. The data come in two forms. The first refers to phase transition types, temperatures and enthalpies for lipids in different hydration states. The second concerns lipid miscibility represented graphically as isobaric and isothermal phase diagrams. The project is cross-disciplinary in that it combines the efforts of a biochemist working on lipids and membrane structural biology and a computer scientist with database expertise. URL: http://www.lipidat.chemistry.ohio-state.edu