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Mimicking the cell membrane with block copolymer membranes

Zhang, X. Y. and Tanner, P. and Graff, A. and Palivan, C. G. and Meier, W.. (2012) Mimicking the cell membrane with block copolymer membranes. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 50 (12). pp. 2293-2318.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6070467

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Abstract

Cell membranes are essential barriers in Nature. To understand their properties and functions and to develop desirable applications, a simple and elegant approach is to study membranes that mimic the cell membrane. Lipid bilayers represent simple models that are physiologically representative when in the form of mixtures of various lipids, but they are not adequately stable even when covered with amphipathic proteins or when combined with polymers, thus preventing technological applications. This makes necessary the design of completely synthetic membranes. In this respect, amphiphilic copolymers that self-assemble under dilute aqueous conditions and generate supramolecular polymer vesicles or films are ideal candidates for synthetic membranes. Their versatility in terms of chemistry and properties (permeability, mechanical stability, thickness), if appropriately designed, enable the insertion of biological molecules, such as membrane proteins and biopores, or the attachment of biomolecules at their surfaces. Here, we present the domain of synthetic membranes based on amphiphilic copolymers beginning with their generation and up to their applications in medicine, the food industry, and technology. Even though significant progress has been made in combining them with membrane proteins, open questions remain with respect to desired properties that could accommodate biological molecules and support further development of the field, from both the point of view of fundamental understanding and of applications.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Chemie
05 Faculty of Science > Departement Chemie > Former Organization Units Chemistry > Makromolekulare Chemie (Meier)
UniBasel Contributors:Meier, Wolfgang P. and Palivan, Cornelia G and Graff, Alexandra A. G. and Tanner, Pascal and Zhang, Xiaoyan
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0887-624X
e-ISSN:1099-0518
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Identification Number:
Last Modified:10 Mar 2020 10:32
Deposited On:01 Mar 2013 11:12

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