Abstract
Lung surfactant is a complex fluid that lines the air-water interface of the lung and prevents alveolar collapse. A deficiency of lung surfactant in premature infants and surfactant disorders, both inherited and caused following exposure to external pollutants, can lead to potentially fatal respiratory distress. This project aims to develop new neutron reflection and small angle neutron scattering methods to characterize the structure of lung surfactant fluid. Specifically the organization and interaction between the component proteins and lipids at the air-water interface and in lipid bilayers, will be determined, and how oxidative damage modifies these interactions.
References
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