Antimicrobial peptides (AP) have the purpose of killing bacteria without harming human cells. A subgroup of these AP includes short peptides with positive charge, which induce transmembrane pores after a concentration threshold of peptides has adhered to the membrane.

We are interested in studying if adhered peptides modify the mechanical structure of membranes before pores are formed, affecting membrane function from the initial adhesion. These mechanical properties (bending modulus, elastic modulus, Young modulus) will be obtained by force spectroscopy measurements using the AFM microscope.

Nathaly Marin Medina