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Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
In Situ Synthesis of Phospholipid Membranes
1University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
Abstract:
Cells produce lipid membranes de novo through a complex sequence of enzymatic reactions that are difficult to reconstitute in a minimal system. We set out to take a different approach and mimic the synthesis of phospholipids using abiotic but highly selective bioconjugation reactions. Here, I outline several of our group's recent advances in exploring chemoselective reactions for stitching together lipid fragments to form membrane-forming lipids from non-membrane-forming precursors. Rapid chemical reactions can be harnessed to achieve facile de novo synthesis of lipid membranes, and spontaneous membrane formation can be applied for the reconstitution of membrane proteins, encapsulation and concentration of nanomaterials, and the study of lipid membrane remodeling. I conclude by briefly outlining future challenges and opportunities.
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