Membrane-bound compartments are at the heart of biological complexity, allowing nature to control and drive biochemical reactions. We intend to create artificial bionanoreactors and linked vesicle networks that mimic this natural segregation in simplified systems.

This project aims to harness and refine the natural ability of membrane proteins to conserve energy and regulate the transport of a diverse array of molecules and ions. In time, we envisage that the synthetic membrane encapsulated systems will act as chemical sensors, adsorbants and delivery vehicles.

Project lead: Professor Ian Collinson (membrane protein chemistry, transport, bioenergetics, bacteriorhodopsin)

Project team: Dr Mike Jones (photosynthetic membrane proteins, bioenergetics, polymer membrane protein purification); Dr Ash Toye (complex erythrocyte membrane systems); Professor Dek Woolfson (assembly using coiled coils and nanotubes); Dr Ross Anderson (protein design, redox biochemistry, kinetic spectroscopy); Dr Nick Roberts (bio-optics, photoreception, microspectrophotometry, digital holographic microscopy); Professor Tannie Liverpool (theoretical descriptions of complex fluids and biological soft matter); Dr Paul Race (polyketide synthesis, enzymology and structural biology) and Dr Richard Sessions (protein-structure modelling)