About this Book

This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of lipid membrane fundamentals and applications. It gives the fundamental physical and biochemical aspects of membrane-related processes in living cells, and then relates them to how scientists are building bioinspired, artifical membrane-based systems such as gene delivery vehicles and synthetic membrane interfaces. It highlights the driving mechanism behind lipid self-assembly, membrane shape evolution, and vesicle trafficing, as well as the role of lipid membrane composition in signalling and the structural aspects of membranes in cellular integrity.

Key Features:

• Includes a broad overview on the role of lipids as structural components of membranes, energy storage molecules, and signaling molecules.
• Covers lipids in signaling and the role of lipids in everyday life, from diet and health to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
• Discusses applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine, including liposomes in drug discovery, lipids for in vivo therapeutics, lipid-based sensors, artificial biointerfaces, and synthetic polymers.
• Includes an exciting section that explores the practical use of Archae lipids, lipids and the origins of life, and future outlook for the field.

This book is a great companion for professionals in physics, biochemistry, physical chemistry and material sciences.