Daniel Otzen receives grant

Exploring the potential of liprotides: a new class of protein-lipid complexes

We define liprotides as complexes formed between a wide range of different proteins and free fatty acids with a common generic structure, namely a hydrophobic core of fatty acid chains stabilized by head group interactions with a shell of partially denatured proteins. The fatty acids are bound strongly but reversibly and through co-hosting permits stable solubilisation of highly hydrophobic compounds, as well as transfer of lipids and hydrophobic co-solutes to other hydrophobic phases when required. Liprotide formation appears to be a generic protein property, and the ability to use different proteins in liprotides allows us to tailor these properties at will. Thus liprotides are highly attractive and versatile nano-tools with broad applications. This project will explore the potential for using liprotides for encapsulation and delivery of small hydrophobic materials for use in food technology, antimicrobial strategies, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other personal-care products.