We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Perturbation of Nanoplastics on Biomembranes: Molecular Insights from Neutron Scattering
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics can seriously damage cell membranes, which are the protective barriers around our cells. The plastic particles caused membranes to break apart and get thinner, though some natural cell types were more resistant to damage than others. This research helps us understand why the growing amount of plastic pollution in our environment and food could pose health risks to humans.
Plastic waste is now pervasive in the environment, breaking down into microplastics and nanoplastics under many environmental conditions. These particles have been found in various ecosystems and even in human tissues, raising significant environmental and health concerns. In this study, we investigated the interaction of polystyrene nanoplastics, with and without surface modifications, on biomembrane structures using contrast-matching small-angle neutron scattering and neutron spin echo spectroscopy. The neutron contrast matching enabled selective study of biomembranes in the presence of nanoplastics. Two model membranes were employed: a simple zwitterionic bilayer (i.e., dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine [DMPC]) and an Escherichia coli lipid extract as a bacterial membrane model. The results show profound membrane disruptions, including possible thinning, vesicle fragmentation, lipid monolayer formation, and inter-vesicle aggregation, with the more severe effects observed in DMPC membranes. Notably, E. coli membranes exhibited greater resilience, suggesting that natural membranes with diverse lipid compositions may reduce susceptibility to perturbation by extracellular nanoplastics. These findings highlight potential risks posed by environmental nanoplastic particles to biological membranes, with insights into molecular-level interactions and the environmental toxicity of nanoplastics. This work provides a foundation for future studies into nanoplastic–biomembrane interactions and their broader implications for health and environment using neutrons.
More Papers Like This
Perturbation of Nanoplastics on Biomembranes: Molecular Insights from Neutron Scattering
AI summary Read the abstract
Using neutron scattering, researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics — with and without surface modifications — perturb the structure and dynamics of both simple and complex bacterial-model biomembranes, suggesting nanoplastics can physically disrupt cell membrane function.
Perturbation of nanoplastics on biomembranes: molecular insights from neutron scattering
AI summary Read the abstract
Neutron scattering experiments revealed that polystyrene nanoplastics structurally disrupt phospholipid biomembranes at the molecular level, providing mechanistic evidence for how nanoplastics compromise cellular integrity. These molecular-scale insights help explain observed toxicity of nanoplastics in biological systems and highlight risks from environmental nanoplastic exposure.
Perturbation of Nanoplastics on Biomembranes: Molecular Insights from Neutron Scattering
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used neutron scattering to study how polystyrene nanoplastics with and without surface modifications interact with model lipid bilayers. They found that nanoplastics disrupt membrane structure through physical insertion and bilayer thinning, with surface modifications significantly altering the degree of membrane perturbation.
Effects of polyethylene microplastics on cell membranes: A combined study of experiments and molecular dynamics simulations
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers combined laboratory experiments with molecular dynamics simulations to study how polyethylene microplastics interact with cell membranes. They found that nanoscale plastic particles can penetrate and disrupt cell membrane structure, causing leakage and potentially leading to cell damage. The study provides a detailed molecular-level understanding of one of the fundamental ways microplastics may harm living cells.
Can Nanoplastics Alter Cell Membranes?
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigates whether nanoplastics — plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer — can interact with and physically alter cell membranes. Researchers found that nanoplastics can disrupt membrane structure, raising concerns about their ability to impair cellular function across a wide range of living organisms.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.