It is impossible to talk about medicine without mentioning the membrane, the lipid bi-layers lining our cells, whose selective permeability keeps the cytoplasmic materials in and the foreign matter out. To develop an atomic scale understanding of these structures, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are using Lonestar, the HPC system at the Texas Advanced Computing Center. Their explorations of bio-membranes interacting with salicylate, sterols, and nanoemulsions bridge the gap from the microscopic level to testable treatments. Collaborating with both laboratory and computational researchers, this research is helping to develop a basic understanding of membrane mechanics to explore the benefits and dangers of trans-membrane drug dispersal.
Supercomputing a Cure
May 6, 2008