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Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Reconstitution of Septin Assembly at Membranes to Study Biophysical Properties and Functions
Published on: July 28, 2022
Flexible macromolecules attached to lipid bilayers: impact on fluidity, curvature, permeability and stability of the
Christophe Tribet1, Florent Vial1
1Physico-chimie des Polymères et Milieux Dispersés, CNRS UMR 7615 and Université Paris 6, ESPCI, 10 rue Vauquelin, F-75005 Paris, France.
Abstract:
This review summarizes recent investigations on the association of macromolecules on lipid bilayers. Hydrophilic and flexible polymers can form soft coronae tenuously adsorbed or anchored on the lipid membrane. Other synthetic macromolecules are embedded in the apolar region of the membrane. Recent experimental and theoretical works focus on the perturbation of lipid properties achieved depending on the nature and strength of binding. Of importance to biomimicry, to tethered model membranes, and drug carriers, the effects achievable include modulation of the lateral diffusivity of lipids, shape distortions, lateral segregations, formation of well-defined nanopores and ultimately the stimuli responsive disruption of the membrane.
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