Credit: ORNL/Jill Hemman
Researchers used neutron and x-ray scattering techniques at Oak Ridge and Brookhaven National Laboratories to characterize disc-shaped structures, known as bicelles, that mimic cell membranes. The rim of the disc comprises a detergent (purple), while the disc’s center is made up of glycerophospholipids (green), sphingomyelin (blue), and cholesterol (gold).