Self-association of lipids in an aqueous environment

This and the succeeding chapters take us a stage further. They are focused on the role of curvature and its connection to function for supramolecular assemblies of biomolecules. A number of examples from biology are presented where cur ature and function are clearly intimately connected. These examples allow us to speculate on the central part played by shape in chemical reactions, and in molecular organisation in living systems the beginning of a language of shape. 

We begin with the field of lipid-water phase behaviour. 

Numerous reviews exist that deal with characterisation of different liquid crystalline phases formed in pure lipid-water mixtures [1]. Our concern is rather with new features of lipid-water phases as revealed by thinking in terms of curvature. 

There is strong overlap here with Chapters 3 and 4, which deal with association properties of surfactants in general, but the material is presented so that it can be read independently. All features of lipid association are common with non-biological surfactants. The main difference lies in nature s choice of particular compounds that can take part in and guide biochemical processes. 

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