About the seminar:

The cellular membrane not only defines the boundary of the cell but also mediates communication with the environment and organizes essential processes in space and time. During inflammation, polyunsaturated fatty acids are liberated from phospholipids and subsequently oxidized by lipoxygenases. This cascade promotes membrane oxidation, a process that contributes to aging and numerous diseases. Here, we investigate how the structural integrity of the cell membrane is influenced by both the hydrolysis of phospholipids by phospholipase A₂ and lipid peroxidation by lipoxygenases. Using model membrane systems such as lipid vesicles and supported lipid bilayers, combined with fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging, we probe the reactions that drive membrane breakdown.