Computational Microscopy of Biomembranes: bridging the gap between simple models and complex reality

Biomembranes are fundamental to cell biology. They are a complex two-dimensional fluid, composed of myriad proteins and lipid species, which provide identity to the cell and to many internal organelles. Membrane spatial (shape) and lateral organization are two intriguing aspects of biomembranes, often connected, that are continuously adopted in a living cell to accommodate important cellular processes, e.g., signaling, cell division and energy generation or by many invasive pathogenic complexes e.g viruses and toxin to initiate their entry into the host cell. Therefore, uncovering the mechanisms that underlie the reorganization of biomembranes is essential for understanding their function in cells, dysfunction in disease and for many biotechnological purposes such as the rational design of drug delivery vehicles and vaccine development. However, there is still no consensus, in particular in living cell conditions, on the physical mechanisms that control biomembrane organization.
 
In this talk, I will present our recent advances in exploring biomembrane spatial and lateral organizations using multiscale computer simulations. I will show how simulations can provide detailed insight into membrane involved processes.