Membrane Simulations with Amyloid Beta

Amyloid Beta is a misformed protein that is a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. A plethora of research has been carried out to determine the structure of amyloid beta and mechanisms behind the plaque formation. We model 1-3 amyloid beta peptides in 3 different configurations inside a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) membrane in order to simulate a key step in the formation of amyloid plaques: the formation of pores in the cell wall of neurons due to amyloid beta. Our preliminary findings identify a configuration of amyloid beta in the membrane that appears to promote the formation of pores.