Principles of biological membrane structure: Alteration of the physical state of one side of the membrane by modulation of the physical state of the op

Abstract

Although synthetic membrane technology has been and continues to be exploited in separation processes, there is great need for a new generation of synthetic membranes with the properties of specificity and selectivity that are common to biological membranes. One means by which these properties may possibly be conferred onto synthetic membranes is by the judicious incorporation of biological molecules. However, in order to design synthetic membranes with specific biological properties and/or function(s), greater understanding of the structure and properties of biological membranes themselves is needed. Accordingly, this report briefly summarizes some concepts of biological membrane structure that need to be appreciated by those who use synthetic membranes. Further, this report illustrates one important characteristic of biological membranes that is relevant to process control utilizing synthetic membranes: transmembrane signaling mechanisms by which modulation of the physical state of one side of a membrane leads to alterations in the physical state of the opposite side of the membrane.