title: Cell membranes: A subjective perspective.
abstract: Cell membranes have developed a tremendous complexity of lipids and proteins geared to perform the functions cells require. The lipids have for long remained in the background and are now regaining their role as important building blocks of cells. Their main function is to form the matrix of our cell membranes where they support a variety of functions essential for life. This 2-dimensional fluid matrix has evolved unexpected material properties that involve both lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions. This perspective is a short summary of the challenges that this field faces and discusses potential ways and means for coming to grips with the properties of this incredible fluid. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biosimulations edited by Ilpo Vattulainen and Tomasz Róg.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: simons@mpi-cbg.de.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simons
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000737:chemistry; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins
keywords: Electrostatic properties; Lipid rafts; Lipids; Lipid–protein interactions; Mass spectrometry; Membranes