The cell‐plasma membranes as composite system of two‐dimensional liquid crystal and macromolecular network and how to mimick its physical properties

H. ‐P Duwe, P. Eggl, E. Sackmann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The evolution of the cell has become possible after nature had invented the composite membrane by combining two states of matter: the two‐dimensional liquid crystalline lipid/protein bilayer and the macromolecular network. In the first part we introduce the essential structural features of the cell plasma membrane (case of erythrocyte) and describe their extraordinary mechanical properties. These are unmatched by the technical materials and allow migrating cells to squeeze through narrow gaps of the tissue or of the extracellular protein networks without loss of material or lysis. As an example, how nature manages to alter the structure and function of biomenbranes drastically by minor biochemical signals we consider chemically induced shape changes of cells. In the second part we describe some efforts to mimick mechanical properties of cell membranes with composite membranes of monomeric and polymeric amphiphiles. These model systems exhibit promising new material properties for future applications in chemistry and biotechnology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-19
Number of pages19
JournalDie Angewandte Makromolekulare Chemie
Volume166
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1989

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