Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics
The research in the Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics group is focused on biological membranes. These membranes form the barriers that separate the inside from the outside of living cells and that define organelles within cells. They are essential for life.
Our main aim is to understand how membranes are built up and how they function at a molecular level. We investigate this by using a variety of systems, ranging from simplified self-assembled model membranes of lipids and proteins to membranes of living cells, and by using different complementary approaches, including molecular biology, chemical synthesis, analytical chemistry and advanced biophysical methods.Contact
H.R. Kruytbuilding
Padualaan 8
3584 CH Utrecht
The Netherlands
Research focus
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Prof. dr. Antoinette KillianThe main aim of the research of Antoinette Killian is to understand how membrane proteins are modulated by lipids in the membrane. This is accomplished on one hand by using a bottom-up approach involving simple, artificial model systems of designed transmembrane peptides in synthetic lipid bilayers.
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Dr. Eefjan BreukinkEefjan Breukink studies the bacterial cell wall synthesis pathway, which is the most accessible essential pathway of bacteria and hence a very important target for antibiotic development.
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Dr. Toon de KroonToon de Kroon focusses on membrane lipid homeostasis. Membrane lipid composition determines the physical properties of biological membranes that are crucial for maintaining the membrane barrier and for the functioning of membrane proteins.
