Emerging paradigms in the lateral and transverse organization in biological membrane and their functional
1Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India.
Abstract:
Since the publication of the first papers in the early 1990s, molecular simulation as a reliable biophysical tool in the area of membrane biophysics has come a long way. Advances in simulation algorithms, coupled with exascale computing have pushed the size and time scales of biomolecular membrane simulations to scales where connections to experiments are made with higher fidelity. When integrated with experimental data in a theoretically well-grounded manner, current biomolecular simulations are providing indispensable insights that cannot be obtained through experiments alone. Here, I summarize some recent developments where simulations have allowed a deeper understanding in membrane spatiotemporal organization. I also discuss the need for transformative method developments to meet recent breakthroughs in experimental measurements at molecular scales.
Related Concept Videos
Fluid Mosaic Model
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer
Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Membrane Domains
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...


