Bakarić Group

Our research explores the structure, dynamics and molecular interactions of biological interfaces, with particular emphasis on model lipid membranes and interfacial water. We combine experimental membrane biophysics with advanced spectroscopy, chemometric analysis and molecular modelling to understand processes occurring at the molecular level.

• Model biomembranes and membrane interactions – Development and characterization of simple, complex and asymmetric lipid membrane systems, including myelin-like structures and interactions with cell-penetrating and antimicrobial peptides.

• Spectroscopy and chemometrics – Development and application of FTIR, UV-Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy and refractometry, complemented by chemometric approaches, to resolve subtle structural, orientational and hydration changes at membrane–water interfaces.

• Nanostructured membrane systems – Design and investigation of functionalized gold nanoparticle–lipid bilayer hybrids with potential applications in diagnostics, therapeutic delivery and photothermal response.

• Interfacial water and hydrogen-bond dynamics – Development of new methodologies for investigating microscopic fluctuations of hydrogen-bond networks and the role of water in mediating interactions at biological interfaces.

• Computational molecular dynamics (MD) simulations complement our experimental approaches, providing molecular-level insight into membrane organization, hydration and intermolecular interactions.