Biological Membranes
Biological Membranes - Related Videos
09:23
Assessing Two-dimensional Crystallization Trials of Small Membrane Proteins for Structural Biology Studies by Electron Crystallography
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Cited by 7 •
2010
Evaluating two-dimensional (2D) crystallization trials for the formation of ordered membrane protein arrays is a highly critical and difficult task in electron crystallography. Here we describe our approach in screening for and identifying 2D crystals of predominantly small membrane proteins in the range of 15 – 90kDa.
13:56
Modeling Biological Membranes with Circuit Boards and Measuring Electrical Signals in Axons: Student Laboratory Exercises
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Cited by 15 •
2011
This is a demonstration of how biological membranes can be understood using electrical models. We also demonstrate procedures for recording action potentials from the ventral nerve cord of the crayfish for student orientated laboratories.
07:28
Synthetic Biology
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2023
This video presents synthetic biology and its role in bioengineering. Synthetic biology refers to the methods used to genetically modify organisms in order to make them capable of producing large quantities of a product. This product could be a protein that the cell already makes or a new protein that has been encoded in a newly-inserted DNA sequence. Here, we discuss how an organism's genetic material is modified using transformation or transfection. Then, the process is shown in the...
20:21
Use of a Robot for High-throughput Crystallization of Membrane Proteins in Lipidic Mesophases
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Cited by 47 •
2012
Herein is described a robotic approach to high-throughput crystallization of membrane proteins in lipidic mesophases for use in structure determination using macromolecular X-ray crystallography. Three robots capable of handling the viscous and sticky protein-laden mesophase integral to the method are introduced.
22:00
Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases
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Cited by 48 •
2010
Herein is described the procedure implemented in the Caffrey Membrane Structural and Functional Biology Group to set up manually crystallization trials of membrane proteins in lipidic mesophases.
FAQs
The phospholipid bilayer creates a contrasting chemical environment: its hydrophobic interior favors passage of hydrophobic molecules but resists ions and other polar substances. This arrangement makes permeability selective rather than unrestricted. As a result, cells can separate internal conditions from the surroundings while controlling which materials cross the boundary.
The lipid core does not readily permit ions and other polar substances to pass. Channels and carriers provide the membrane-associated routes required for their movement, while energy-dependent transport systems support exchange that requires energy. These distinct mechanisms allow cells to regulate internal composition instead of relying solely on passive passage through the bilayer.
Embedded proteins perform several specialized functions beyond moving substances across the bilayer. They can serve as receptors that receive signals, enzymes that support chemical activity, or adhesion molecules that help cells interact. Because one membrane can contain proteins with different roles, it coordinates communication, recognition, attachment, and exchange at the same boundary.
Membranes separate cells and organelles from their surroundings, creating distinct internal environments within a larger biological system. This compartmentalization allows different regions of a cell to maintain their own conditions while remaining coordinated through controlled exchange and signaling. It therefore supports organization, homeostasis, and specialized activities such as energy conversion.
Membrane research connects controlled exchange and protein-mediated communication with major biological processes. In nerve signaling, membrane properties and signaling proteins help explain how information is handled at cellular boundaries. In energy conversion, membrane organization provides context for understanding how cells use specialized compartments to support energy-related activity.
Disrupting a membrane can interfere with the separation of internal and external environments, controlled exchange, or protein-mediated communication. Such interference may impair homeostasis, cell recognition, adhesion, nerve signaling, or energy conversion. For this reason, examining membrane disruption helps researchers relate changes at the cellular boundary to disease-related biological effects.