Reinhard Lipowsky – författare

Biomembranes consist of molecular bilayers with many lipid and protein components. The fluidity of these bilayers allows them to respond to different environmental cues by changing their local molecular composition as well as their shape and topology. On the nanometer scale, this multi-responsive behavior can be studied by molecular dynamics simulations, which provide both snapshots and movies of the bilayer conformations. The general conceptual framework for these simulations is provided by the theory of curvature elasticity. The latter theory also explains the behavior of giant vesicles as observed by optical microscopy on the micrometer scale. The present volume describes new insights as obtained from recent developments in analytical theory, computer simulations, and experimental approaches. The seven chapters of the volume are arranged in a bottom-up manner from smaller to larger scales. These chapters address the refined molecular dynamics and multiscale modeling of biomembranes, their morphological complexity and adhesion, the engulfment and endocytosis of nanoparticles, the fusion of giant unilamellar vesicles, as well as recent advances in microfluidic technology applied to model membranes. Bridging the gap between lipid molecules and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) Integrated view obtained from analytical theory, computer simulations, and experimental observations Multiresponsive behavior and morphological complexity of biomembranes

Membranes composed of amphiphilic molecules are highlyflexible surfaces that determine the architecture ofbiological systems and provide a basic structural elementfor complex fluids such as microemulsions. Recently, avariety of new experimental methods such as X-rayscattering, neutron scattering, and atomic force microscopyhave been used in order to study themolecular structure ofthese membranes. Their conformational behavior, on the otherhand, is studied by optical and electron microscopy, whichreveals that membranes in aqueous solution exhibit anamazing variety of different shapes. Several theoreticalconcepts are described suchas bending elasticity,curvature, and minimal surfaces in order to understand thispolymorphism. These concepts are also useful to describe thebehavior of membranes in complex fluids where they can buildup hexagonal, lamellar, triply-periodic, cubic, and spongephases. The contributions to this volume provide anup-to-date overview and describe thestate-of-the-art ofthis rapidly evolving field of research.