What is it about?
One mechanism for the chemical disinfection of bacteria involves perforation of the cell membrane. In this work, a computer technique was used to simulate the interaction of nonionic surfactant with an artificial membrane. The findings support the interpretation of pore formation inferred from the results of chemical studies with fluorescent probes.
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Why is it important?
Mesoscopic simulation is a relatively coarse-grained approach to gain insight into the dynamical interactions of matter. In this case we have hopefully provided convincing support to the mechanism of disinfection by nonionic surfactants that will facilitate the development of chemical disinfectants.
Perspectives
This study arose from the collaboration of a computer scientist skilled in the application of a simulation method, dissipative particle dynamics, to chemical systems (Rob Groot) and myself, a chemist with an interest in understanding non-reactive chemical disinfection. Chemical disinfection in parallel with cleaning (hygienic cleaning) is increasingly important as bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics and infection by pathogenic organisms becomes increasingly serious.
Dr Kenneth L Rabone
University of Liverpool
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Mesoscopic Simulation of Cell Membrane Damage, Morphology Change and Rupture by Nonionic Surfactants, Biophysical Journal, August 2001, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3495(01)75737-2.
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