We monitored the effect on function of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) rhodopsin
from small, stepwise changes in bilayer thickness induced by cholesterol. Over a range of …

The stiffness of biological membranes determines the work required by cellular machinery to
form and dismantle vesicles and other lipidic shapes. Model membrane stiffness can be …

The bending modulus of a lipid bilayer quantifies its mechanical resistance to curvature. It is
typically understood in terms of thickness; eg, thicker bilayers are usually stiffer. Here, we …

We investigate the effects on the distribution of lipids in the plasma membrane that are
caused by the insertion of a protein, Piezo1, that significantly distorts the membrane toward …

Membrane reshaping is an essential biological process. The chemical composition of lipid
membranes determines their mechanical properties and thus the energetics of their shape …

Endo-and exocytosis proceed through a highly strained membrane fusion pore topology
regardless of the aiding protein machinery. The membrane's lipid components bias fusion …

Curvature is a fundamental property of biological membranes and has essential roles in
cellular function. Bending of membranes can be induced by their lipid and protein …

To minimize the free energy of the system, lipid membranes display curvature-dependent
rearrangements at the local and global scale. The optimal membrane shape is generally …

Biological membranes separate living cells from their surroundings, and, in case of
eukaryotes, partition the cell into its constituent organelles. These bilayer structures, which …

Structural and mechanical properties of membranes such as thickness, tail order, bending
modulus and curvature energetics play crucial role in controlling various cellular functions …