The riddle of cell membrane asymmetry solved
How to unravel the mystery of cell membrane asymmetry? Undoubtedly, this research area has recently been the focus of attention of many research groups, which are laboriously exploring the intricacies of this fundamental feature of all plasma membranes. Research conducted by a team led by dr hab. Alexander Czogalla, prof. UWr of the Department of Cytobiochemistry of the Faculty of Biotechnology, is of significant importance in this regard. Their work entitled “Effect of leaflet asymmetry on the stretching elasticity of lipid bilayers with phosphatidic acid,” was highlighted with a comment in the ‘New and Notable’ section of the Biophysical Journal.
Particularly noteworthy are studies of membrane asymmetry using model membrane systems with well-defined compositions, which are being increasingly used in many areas of biology and biotechnology, and especially in synthetic biology. This type of approach has just been used by scientists from prof. Czogalla’s team, which has allowed them to unravel many mysteries related to the functioning of biological membranes. The results of their work, published jointly with colleagues at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, were published in “Effect of leaflet asymmetry on the stretching elasticity of lipid bilayers with phosphatidic acid.” In it, they investigated the mechanical parameters of asymmetric membranes.
The results were quickly recognized by others and described as opening a new phase of knowledge consolidation and steering lipid membrane asymmetry research toward a constructive approach to experimental and interpretive limitations. The publication was selected as one of the best to appear in the esteemed Biophysical Journal: After the gold rush: Getting far from the shallow in studying asymmetric membranes.
It will also be presented as part of the Best of Biophysical Journal 2025 symposium.
Publication date: 12.02.2025
Added by: M.J.
