Simulating realistic membrane shapes

Weria Pezeshkian; Siewert J Marrink

doi:10.1016/j.ceb.2021.02.009

Simulating realistic membrane shapes

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2021 Aug:71:103-111. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.02.009. Epub 2021 Mar 12.

Authors

Weria Pezeshkian¹, Siewert J Marrink²

Affiliations

¹ Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
² Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: s.j.marrink@rug.nl.

PMID: 33721706
DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.02.009

Abstract

Biological membranes exhibit diversity in their shapes and complexity in chemical compositions that are linked to many cellular functions. These two central features of biomembranes have been the subject of numerous simulation studies, using a diverse range of computational techniques. Currently, the field is able to capture this complexity at increasing levels of realism and connect the microscopic view on protein-lipid interactions to cellular morphologies at the level of entire organelles. Here we highlight recent advances in this topic, identify current bottlenecks, and sketch possible ways ahead.

Keywords: Cell membranes; Membrane curvature; Mesoscale models; Molecular dynamics; Multiscale simulations; Organelle shape.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Biophysical Phenomena
Cell Membrane
Computer Simulation
Membrane Proteins*
Organelles*

Substances

Membrane Proteins