Overview

This project models oxidative membrane breakdown and antioxidant protection strategies using a dual-system approach: synthetic liposomes and live yeast cells. By exposing these systems to controlled oxidative stress, the study captures structural membrane failure events at both the lipid and cellular levels. Imaging-based methods, including phase contrast microscopy and fluorescence leakage assays, are used to track destabilization, deformation, and rupture points in real time, focusing on the earliest stages of mechanical breakdown before full collapse.

Antioxidant candidates are tested across defined oxidative stress conditions to evaluate their ability to preserve membrane structure and delay failure. Beyond simply measuring oxidative burden, the study examines how antioxidants directly influence membrane resilience and stability under pressure, offering a mechanical and kinetic perspective. The three-arm structure — combining membrane-only models, cellular stress assays, and kinetic antioxidant profiling — is designed to isolate both chemical and biological protective effects against oxidative insult.

The broader aim is to define where early intervention is possible in stress-driven neurodegenerative conditions. By mapping membrane instability as a precursor to neuron loss, and by testing compounds that alter failure thresholds, this research builds a translational bridge toward therapeutic strategies aimed at structural preservation rather than late-stage rescue. The systems used are deliberately simple but clinically reflective, emphasizing scalable applications to neurodegenerative stress pathways.