Coherent and Incoherent Ripples in Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine

The rich phase behaviour displayed by phospholipid bilayers and their structural relationship to biological membranes have made them fascinating objects of study. Despite being one of the most often examined of these model membrane systems, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) continues to be a source of interest for scientists. In particular, the ripple phase, P β′ , of fully hydrated DPPC has generated a great deal of attention over the years as scientists have tried to understand the structural details of this novel phase 1–5 .