Formation of Lipid-Based Nanodiscs and Their Dependence of Temperature and Chemical Composition*

Phospholipid mixtures composed of \textit{1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine }(DPPC), \textit{1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine }(DHPC) and \textit{1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (sodium salt)}(DPPG) and\textit{ 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (ammonium salt)} (PEGylated DSPE) and cholestrol were found to form nanodiscs (bicelles) in both non-ionic and phosphate buffer solutions . The structure of the aggregates is resolved using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and small angle neutron scattering. The effects of temperature and chemical composition (e.g., PEGylated DSPE and cholesterol) on the structural variation and polydispersity will be discussed in this presentation. These nanodiscs have the potential of serving as a model delivery carrier for hydrophobic molecules for their biological compatibility and capability of incorporating with targeting molecules.