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Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Tackling Challenges in Synthetic Cell Engineering
Published on: April 12, 2024
Membrane dynamics and organelle biogenesis-lipid pipelines and vesicular carriers
Christopher J Stefan1, William S Trimble2, Sergio Grinstein3
1MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. c.stefan@ucl.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Discoveries spanning several decades have pointed to vital membrane lipid trafficking pathways involving both vesicular and non-vesicular carriers. But the relative contributions for distinct membrane delivery pathways in cell growth and organelle biogenesis continue to be a puzzle. This is because lipids flow from many sources and across many paths via transport vesicles, non-vesicular transfer proteins, and dynamic interactions between organelles at membrane contact sites. This forum presents our latest understanding, appreciation, and queries regarding the lipid transport mechanisms necessary to drive membrane expansion during organelle biogenesis and cell growth.
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