Molecular Biology of Membrane

Author: Su Senfang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: This book presents novel content, reflecting the latest research progress in biomembranes. It can serve as a textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate students in biological sciences, biotechnology, and bioprocess engineering at universities, as well as a reference for researchers engaged in biomembrane-related studies. The book introduces the composition of biomembranes, membrane synthesis and sorting, membrane receptors and signal transduction, lipids as second messengers, functional rafts and membrane cave systems, the polymorphism of lipid aggregates, the electrical properties of membranes, in vitro membrane studies, and the structural study of membrane proteins. The book is divided into four parts with 22 chapters: Part I Introduction to Biomembranes includes 7 chapters, covering the development of biomembrane research, the formation of biomembranes, membrane synthesis, sorting, and localization, transmembrane exchange of substances and energy, membrane receptors and signal transduction, lipids as hormones and second messengers, and membrane functional rafts; Part II Physical and Chemical Foundations of Membranes includes 5 chapters, covering the phase properties of lipids, the thermodynamic basis of lipid aggregate self-assembly, the polymorphism of lipid aggregates, the molecular basis of membrane fluidity, and membranes as charged surfaces in solution; Part III Simulation and Assembly Studies of Biomembranes includes 4 chapters, covering gas-liquid interface lipid monolayers, solid surface-supported planar membranes, black lipid membranes (planar lipid bilayers), detergent and liposome techniques, etc.; Part IV Structural and Functional Studies of Membrane Proteins includes 6 chapters, covering topological studies of membrane proteins, X-ray crystallographic studies of membrane proteins, electron crystallographic studies of membrane proteins, single-particle observation studies of membrane proteins, spectroscopic studies of membrane protein conformation, and other new techniques in membrane protein research, etc.