Dataset for "The effect of polymer end-group on the formation of Styrene – Maleic Acid Lipid Particles (SMALPs)"

Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers have recently become the focus of attention for their ability to extract membrane proteins from cell membranes together with their native lipid environment. However, the mechanism by which these copolymers interact with lipid membranes is not well understood, nor are the key aspects of polymer structure in facilitating membrane protein extraction. The purpose for obtaining this data was to assess the effects of the copolymer end group upon solution behaviour and nanodisc formation. This dataset contains characterisation data for SMA copolymers with equivalent molecular weights and compositions (GPC, FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy) but varied end groups, including deuterostyrene variants used for neutron scattering experiments. End group exchange was monitored by UV-vis and 1H DOSY NMR spectroscopy. Aggregation behaviours arising from aqueous copolymer solutions, including the effects of heat treatment, were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and interfacial surface tension measurements in both air and dodecane. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) studies were used to examine the structure of copolymer aggregates, as well as that of the nanodiscs formed upon the addition of lipids, to further discern mechanistic differences.