Vectorial transport structural biology

Biological cell membranes are multi-component systems consisting of a fluid bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) and integrated membrane proteins. The main structural features of the BLMs are determined by a wide variety of amphiphilic lipids whose polar head groups are exposed to water while hydrocarbon tails form the nonpolar interior. The BLMs act as the medium for biochemical vectorial membrane processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and active ion transport. However, they do not participate in the corresponding chemical reactions which occur in membrane-dissolved proteins and often need redox-active cofactors. BLMs were therefore mostly investigated by physical chemists who studied their thermodynamics and kinetic behaviour . ... 

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