Membrane Interaction Between Lipids, Proteins and Peptides, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to welcome submissions of papers to our Special Issue titled “Membrane Interaction Between Lipids, Proteins and Peptides, 2nd Edition”.

Lipid membranes play a critical role in cell survival as they enclose all cellular components. They represent the first line of defense against foreign invaders (toxins, pathogens, etc.) in the same way that the foundation, walls, and roof of a house shelter its inhabitants. Over the years, many researchers have invested considerable effort into understanding various cellular components and machineries (e.g., nuclear/genetic materials, proteins (complexes), and small (bio)molecule functional entities). By doing so, it seems that there is more appreciation for elements like the kitchen or living room rather than for the necessities like walls, which should provide comfort and security.

Interestingly, most researchers seem to recognize proteins (receptors) as the determining factor(s) of any bimolecular interaction between molecules (including organics, inorganics, peptides, and proteins) and lipid membranes, and lipid membranes act as facilitators to capitalize on these interactions. Very few have appreciated lipid membranes as independent contributors or even as drivers in these interactions.

Based on these observations, I would like to propose a Special Issue that emphasizes peptide–membrane interactions and or/ protein (receptor)–membrane interactions from a lipid membrane-oriented perspective (i.e., focusing on how lipid membranes actively participate and affect these interactions, or, whether lipid membranes, in fact, direct biomolecule–lipid membrane interaction). I propose this topic because I believe in their directing and/or deciding role(s) in these interactions, and I wish to challenge the researchers who instead focus on biomolecules to re-evaluate their views on these biological events.

This Special Issue will serve as the foundation to gather and document non-traditional developments, unconventional innovations, and non-classical concepts on peptide– and/or protein–membrane interactions. We invite authors to submit their latest findings; both original papers and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: lipid–lipid, peptide–membrane, and protein–membrane interactions; solid-state methods to study/characterize these interactions; classical and/or novel physical biochemistry approaches to identify novel interactions; advances in biophysical approaches to identify important biomembrane contributions in these interactions and related biological events; novel views on known biological events thar arise from these interactions using different approaches; and the discovery of new biological events resulting from these interactions. 

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.