Laboratory of Biophysicochemistry of Interfacial Phenomena

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Team leader: dr hab. Dorota Matyszewska

Team leader’s e-mail address: dorota.matyszewska@chem.uw.edu.pl

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Brief description of the research topic:

The Laboratory of Biophysicochemistry of Interfacial Phenomena focuses on elucidating, at the molecular level, the physicochemical properties of interfaces in biological systems:
• We analyze the lung surfactant, which plays a crucial role at the interface in the respiratory system, characterizing its properties in healthy states and in states pathologically altered by lung diseases (e.g., COPD), and we investigate its interactions with current and potential drugs to improve respiratory therapies.
• We aim to understand the physicochemical properties of the viral lipid envelopes of influenza and coronaviruses and the mechanisms by which antiviral substances can effectively destabilize them, thereby hindering viral replication and contributing to the development of novel antiviral strategies.
• We investigate the interactions of anticancer drugs with model cell membranes mimicking cancer cells to elucidate the physicochemical mechanisms of drug synergy, particularly in the context of breast cancer and lung cancer treatment.
In our research, we use appropriately designed model systems (phospholipid monolayers and bilayers) that closely mimic real biological membranes. Furthermore, we employ a unique combination of highly specialized surface-sensitive techniques, including microscopy (Brewster Angle Microscopy, Fluorescence Microscopy), vibrational spectroscopy (Polarization Modulation Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy, PM-IRRAS), and methods utilizing neutron and synchrotron radiation (e.g., neutron reflectometry, X-ray diffraction, GIXD).