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From membranes to membrane machines

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Statistical Mechanics of Biocomplexity

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics ((LNP,volume 527))

Abstract

On the micrometer scale, the behavior of membranes and vesicles can be understood, to a large extent, in terms of a few parameters. Two of these parameters, which are crucial for the membrane morphology, are the vesicle volume and the preferred or ‘spontaneous’ curvature of the membrane.1 The volume is primarily determined by the osmotic conditions, i.e., by the concentration of solutes such as ions, molecules, and colloids which are dispersed in the aqueous solution and which cannot permeate the membrane. These particles can also be used to change the ‘spontaneous’ curvature in a systematic and controlled fashion. Another local control mechanism for this curvature is provided by molecules which are attached to the membranes via hydrophobic anchors. These control mechanisms might be used in order to construct membrane machines such as swimming vesicles which are based on cycles in shape space.

Here and below, ‘spontaneous’ appears in quotes since this curvature often arises from the interactions of the membrane with its surroundings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MPI für Kolloid- and Grenzflächenforschung, Kantstr. 55, D-14513, Teltow-Seehof

    Reinhard Lipowsky

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  1. Reinhard Lipowsky
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Editor information

D. Reguera J.M.G. Vilar J.M. Rubí

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© 1999 Springer-Verlag

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Lipowsky, R. (1999). From membranes to membrane machines. In: Reguera, D., Vilar, J., Rubí, J. (eds) Statistical Mechanics of Biocomplexity. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 527. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0105003

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0105003

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-66245-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-48486-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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