Studies of the past several decades have provided major insights into the structural organization of biological membranes and mechanisms of many membrane molecular machines. However, the origin(s) of the membrane(s) and membrane proteins remains enigmatic. We discuss different concepts of the origin and early evolution of membranes with a focus on the evolution of the (im)permeability to charge...

Many membrane bound proteins are closely associated with lipids. These membrane lipids are not only structural components of cellular compartmentation but also functionally important elements involved in some are of the biological functions of membrane proteins1). With respect to the dynamic structure of membranes, there is evidence that membrane fluidity may play an important role in some biol...

Phospholipid bilayers are the basic structural element of biological membranes. They separate the various cell compartments found in eukaryotic cells and form the outer barrier (cell membrane or plasma membrane) of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells separating the cytoplasm from the extra-cellular space. The composition of phospholipid bilayers varies with the cell type and function of the membra...