The computer as a laboratory for the physical chemistry of membranes
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
A mini-review is given of some recent advances in the use of computer-simulation approaches to the study of physico-chemical properties of lipid bilayers and biological membranes. The simulations are based on microscopic molecular interaction models as well as random-surface models of fluid membranes. Particular emphasis is put on those properties that are controlled by the many-particle character of the lamellar membrane, i.e. correlations and fluctuations in density, composition and large-scale conformational structure. It is discussed how dynamic membrane heterogeneity arises and how it is affected by various molecular species interacting with membranes, such as cholesterol, drugs, insecticides, as well as polypeptides and integral membrane proteins. The influence of bending rigidity and osmotic-pressure gradients on large-scale membrane conformation and topology is described.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Biophysical Chemistry |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
Pages (from-to) | 55-68 |
Number of pages | 14 |
ISSN | 0301-4622 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1995 |
Externally published | Yes |
- Bending rigidity, Cholesterol, Computer simulation, Dynamic heterogeneity, Fluctuation, Insecticide, Lipid bilayer, Lipid mixture, Lipid-protein interaction, Membrane topology, Phase separation, Phase transition, Random surface
Research areas
ID: 236889021