The following thesis includes a presentation of molecular modelling. There are five levels of modelling, which differ in time scale, system size and purpose of use. Various coarse-grained models used in selected studies of lipid membranes are presented. Such a model is formed by combining several atoms into one pseudo atom. Examples of various pseudo atoms are methyl group, benzene ring, amino acid residues. Using simulations on the described models of lipid membranes, various properties were calculated, such as bilayer thickness, bending modulus, area compressibility modulus, linear and surface tension, lateral diffusion constant, the rate of permeation of water across the bilayer, flip-flop rate, etc. Finally, some of the results obtained with a computer simulation using the Molsim program are presented.
|