Membrane Biophysics

Membrane Biophysics
Author: Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 190
Release: 2012-08-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642161057

Physics, mathematics and chemistry all play a vital role in understanding the true nature and functioning of biological membranes, key elements of living processes. Besides simple spectroscopic observations and electrical measurements of membranes we address in this book the phenomena of coexistence and independent existence of different membrane components using various theoretical approaches. This treatment will be helpful for readers who want to understand biological processes by applying both simple observations and fundamental scientific analysis. It provides a deep understanding of the causes and effects of processes inside membranes, and will thus eventually open new doors for high-level pharmaceutical approaches towards fighting membrane- and cell-related diseases.

Thermal Biophysics of Membranes

Thermal Biophysics of Membranes
Author: Thomas Heimburg
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2008-02-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3527611606

An overview of recent experimental and theoretical developments in the field of the physics of membranes, including new insights from the past decade. The author uses classical thermal physics and physical chemistry to explain our current understanding of the membrane. He looks at domain and 'raft' formation, and discusses it in the context of thermal fluctuations that express themselves in heat capacity and elastic constants. Further topics are lipid-protein interactions, protein binding, and the effect of sterols and anesthetics. Many seemingly unrelated properties of membranes are shown to be intimately intertwined, leading for instance to a coupling between membrane state, domain formation and vesicular shape. This also applies to non-equilibrium phenomena like the propagation of density pulses during nerve activity. Also included is a discussion of the application of computer simulations on membranes. For both students and researchers of biophysics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and soft matter physics.

The Biophysics of Cell Membranes

The Biophysics of Cell Membranes
Author: Richard M. Epand
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2017-09-25
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9811062447

This volume focuses on the modulation of biological membranes by specific biophysical properties. The readers are introduced to emerging biophysical approaches that mimick specific states (like membrane lipid asymmetry, membrane curvature, lipid flip-flop, lipid phase separation) that are relevant to the functioning of biological membranes. The first chapter describes innovative methods to mimic the prevailing asymmetry in biological membranes by forming asymmetrical membranes made of monolayers with different compositions. One of the chapters illustrates how physical parameters, like curvature and elasticity, can affect and modulate the interactions between lipids and proteins. This volume also describes the sensitivity of certain ion channels to mechanical forces and it presents an analysis of how cell shape is determined by both the cytoskeleton and the lipid domains in the membrane. The last chapter provides evidence that liposomes can be used as a minimal cellular model to reconstitute processes related to the origin of life. Each topic covered in this volume is presented by leading experts in the field who are able to present clear, authoritative and up-to-date reviews. The novelty of the methods proposed and their potential for a deeper molecular description of membrane functioning are particularly relevant experts in the areas of biochemistry, biophysics and cell biology, while also presenting clear and thorough introductions, making the material suitable for students in these fields as well.

Membrane Structural Biology

Membrane Structural Biology
Author: Mary Luckey
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 427
Release: 2014-02-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1107729335

This textbook provides a strong foundation and a clear overview for students of membrane biology and an invaluable synthesis of cutting-edge research for working scientists. The text retains its clear and engaging style, providing a solid background in membrane biochemistry, while also incorporating the approaches of biophysics, genetics and cell biology to investigations of membrane structure, function and biogenesis to provide a unique overview of this fast-moving field. A wealth of new high resolution structures of membrane proteins are presented, including the Na/K pump and a receptor-G protein complex, offering exciting insights into how they function. All key tools of current membrane research are described, including detergents and model systems, bioinformatics, protein-folding methodology, crystallography and diffraction, and molecular modeling. This comprehensive and up-to-date text, emphasising the correlations between membrane research and human health, provides a solid foundation for all those working in this field.

Equations of Membrane Biophysics

Equations of Membrane Biophysics
Author: N Lakshminarayanaiah
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 437
Release: 2013-09-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1483272168

Equations of Membrane Biophysics provides an introduction to the relevant principles of thermodynamics, kinetics, electricity, surface chemistry, electrochemistry, and other mathematical theorems so that the quantitative aspects of membrane phenomena in model and biological systems could be described. The book begins by introducing several phenomena that arise across membranes, both artificial and biological, when different driving forces act across them. This is followed by separate chapters on thermodynamic principles related to properties of dilute aqueous electrolyte solutions along with a review of the principles of electrostatics, electrochemical principles, Fick's laws of diffusion, and the rate theory of diffusion; the quantitative aspects of the electrochemistry of solutions and membranes, and the quantitative relations between charges and electrostatic potentials related to surfaces and interfaces; and membrane theories pertaining to electrical potentials arising across a variety of membranes. Subsequent chapters deal with steady-state thermodynamic approaches to several transport phenomena in membranes; tissue impedance, cable theory, and Hodgkin-Huxley equations; and fluctuation analysis of the electrical properties of the membrane.

ESR Spectroscopy in Membrane Biophysics

ESR Spectroscopy in Membrane Biophysics
Author: Marcus A. Hemminga
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 346
Release: 2007-02-13
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0387250662

Starting from a comprehensive quantum mechanical description, this book introduces the optical (IR, Raman, UV/Vis, CD, fluorescence and laser spectroscopy) and magnetic resonance (1D and 2D-NMR, ESR) techniques. The book offers a timely review of the increasing interest in using spin-label ESR as an alternative structural technique for NMR or X-ray diffraction. Future aspects are treated as well, but only as an illustration of the progress of ESR in this field.

Cell Physiology Source Book

Cell Physiology Source Book
Author: Nicholas Sperelakis
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 1262
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080574556

This authoritative book gathers together a broad range of ideas and topics that define the field. It provides clear, concise, and comprehensive coverage of all aspects of cellular physiology from fundamental concepts to more advanced topics. The Third Edition contains substantial new material. Most chapters have been thoroughly reworked. The book includes chapters on important topics such as sensory transduction, the physiology of protozoa and bacteria, the regulation of cell division, and programmed cell death. - Completely revised and updated - includes 8 new chapters on such topics as membrane structure, intracellular chloride regulation, transport, sensory receptors, pressure, and olfactory/taste receptors - Includes broad coverage of both animal and plant cells - Appendixes review basics of the propagation of action potentials, electricity, and cable properties - Authored by leading experts in the field - Clear, concise, comprehensive coverage of all aspects of cellular physiology from fundamental concepts to more advanced topics

Biophysics of Membrane Proteins

Biophysics of Membrane Proteins
Author: Vincent L. G. Postis
Publisher: Humana
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2021-02-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781071607237

This volume provides recent advances in the field of biophysics of membrane proteins. Chapters are divided into several parts: detailing biochemistry and functional analysis, experimental and theoretical structural determinations, membrane protein dynamics, and conformation studies. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Biophysics of Membrane Proteins: Methods and Protocols aims to provide comprehensive protocols with notes to help further the understanding of key membrane protein structure and function for students, academics, and industrial researchers.

Introduction to Cellular Biophysics, Volume 1

Introduction to Cellular Biophysics, Volume 1
Author: Armin Kargol
Publisher: Morgan & Claypool Publishers
Total Pages: 117
Release: 2019-03-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1643274104

All living matter is comprised of cells, small compartments isolated from the environment by a cell membrane and filled with concentrated solutions of various organic and inorganic compounds. Some organisms are single-cell, where all life functions are performed by that cell. Others have groups of cells, or entire organs, specializing in one particular function. The survival of the entire organism depends on all of its cells and organs fulfilling their roles. While the cells are studied by different sciences, they are seen differently by biologists, chemists, or physicists. Biologists concentrate their attention on cell structure and function. What does the cell consist of? Where are its organelles? What function does each organelle fulfil? From a chemists' point of view, a cell is a complex chemical reaction chamber where various molecules are synthesized or degraded. The main question is how these, sometimes very complicated chains of reactions are controlled. Finally, from a physics standpoint, one of the main questions is the physical movement of all these molecules between organelles within the cell, as well as their exchange with the extracellular medium. The aim of this book is to look into the basic physical phenomena occurring in cells. These physical transport processes facilitate chemical reactions in the cell and that in turn leads to the biological functions necessary for the cell to satisfy its role in the mother organism. Ultimately, the goals of every cell are to stay alive and to fulfil its function as a part of a larger organ or organism. This book is an inventory of physical transport processes occurring in cells while the second volume will be a closer look at how complex biological and physiological cell phenomena result from these very basic physical processes.

The Photosynthetic Membrane

The Photosynthetic Membrane
Author: Alexander V. Ruban
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 412
Release: 2012-09-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1118447603

The proteins that gather light for plant photosynthesis are embedded within cell membranes in a site called the thylakoid membrane (or the "photosynthetic membrane"). These proteins form the light harvesting antenna that feeds with energy a number of vital photosynthetic processes such as water oxidation and oxygen evolution, the pumping of protons across the thylakoid membranes coupled with the electron transport chain of the photosystems and cytochrome b6f complex, and ATP synthesis by ATP synthase utilizing the generated proton gradient. The Photosynthetic Membrane: Molecular Mechanisms and Biophysics of Light Harvesting is an introduction to the fundamental design and function of the light harvesting photosynthetic membrane, one of the most common and most important structures of life. It describes the underlying structure of the membrane, the variety and roles of the membrane proteins, the atomic structures of light harvesting complexes and their macromolecular assemblies, the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of light harvesting and primary energy transformations, and the broad range of adaptations to different light environments. The book shows, using the example of the photosynthetic membrane, how complex biological structures utilize principles of chemistry and physics in order to carry out biological functions. The Photosynthetic Membrane: Molecular Mechanisms of Light Harvesting will appeal to a wide audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as researchers working in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, plant science and bioengineering.