Membrane Transport Mechanisms in Industry and Medicine

Membrane Technologies Technology uses natural systems as a model for building efficient manufactured systems. Technology uses natural systems as a model for building efficient manufactured systems. Advancement in medicine and Industry has largely been due to research into the structure and function of the cell membrane. Advancement in medicine and Industry has largely been due to research into the structure and function of the cell membrane.

Membrane Technologies Membrane technology involves the research and development of synthetic materials to function like the cell membrane Membrane technology involves the research and development of synthetic materials to function like the cell membrane

Recognition Proteins Proteins in the membrane that allow cells to recognize other cells Proteins in the membrane that allow cells to recognize other cells Examples: Egg and sperm cells, Immune system: recognition of specific viruses, bacteria or early stage cancer cells Examples: Egg and sperm cells, Immune system: recognition of specific viruses, bacteria or early stage cancer cells

Receptor Proteins

Receptor Proteins: bind with specific molecules that trigger a response such as receptor mediated endocytosis Receptor Proteins: bind with specific molecules that trigger a response such as receptor mediated endocytosis Proteins in the membrane have sugar groups attached to them that help identify the virus or bacteria Proteins in the membrane have sugar groups attached to them that help identify the virus or bacteria Certain viruses also use this process to target human cells: HIV,Hepatitis, and Influenza Certain viruses also use this process to target human cells: HIV,Hepatitis, and Influenza

Membrane Properties Membrane Technologies look at developing and testing drug therapies involving recognition and receptor proteins Membrane Technologies look at developing and testing drug therapies involving recognition and receptor proteins

Membrane Properties Importance of determining the 3-D shape of certain molecules Importance of determining the 3-D shape of certain molecules Lock-and-key fit between molecule and receptor protein Lock-and-key fit between molecule and receptor protein Locking out the virus by blocking the receptor Locking out the virus by blocking the receptor Reduces effects of medications that affect healthy cells Reduces effects of medications that affect healthy cells

Cancer Research Looking at the possibility of identifying membrane proteins unique to cancer cells Looking at the possibility of identifying membrane proteins unique to cancer cells developing a possible drug specific to those proteins which could possibly identify cancer cells to be destroyed by the bodies immune system developing a possible drug specific to those proteins which could possibly identify cancer cells to be destroyed by the bodies immune system animation animation

Synthetic Membrane Technology

Liposomes specially designed vesicles: fluid-filled sacs that have a phospholipid bilayer containing water soluble medications. specially designed vesicles: fluid-filled sacs that have a phospholipid bilayer containing water soluble medications.

Liposomes The membrane can be manipulated to attach and release their contents in specifically targeted cells. The membrane can be manipulated to attach and release their contents in specifically targeted cells. Causes less damage to healthy cells. Causes less damage to healthy cells. Used in HIV and cancer treatments Used in HIV and cancer treatments Have the ability to circulate in the blood system much longer than the medication would on its own Have the ability to circulate in the blood system much longer than the medication would on its own

Gene Therapy Liposomes used like viruses Liposomes used like viruses Contain DNA that once injected into the cell will produce toxins that will kill the cancerous cell Contain DNA that once injected into the cell will produce toxins that will kill the cancerous cell animation animation

Transport of Protein Hormones Insulin Insulin a hormone released into blood when elevated levels of sugar are detected in the pancreas. Insulin binds to receptors in liver, muscle and fat cells, triggering a response in these cells to take in glucose a hormone released into blood when elevated levels of sugar are detected in the pancreas. Insulin binds to receptors in liver, muscle and fat cells, triggering a response in these cells to take in glucose “diabetes pill” stimulates the production of more insulin or increases cell sensitivity to insulin for people with Type II Diabetes “diabetes pill” stimulates the production of more insulin or increases cell sensitivity to insulin for people with Type II Diabetes

Diabetes Type I Diabetes: Type I Diabetes: can’t produce insulin can’t produce insulin have to take insulin injections to help regulate blood sugar levels have to take insulin injections to help regulate blood sugar levels Type II Diabetes: Type II Diabetes: Pancreas produces insulin but receptors on the cell membrane are defective and so the cells won’t take in much sugar Pancreas produces insulin but receptors on the cell membrane are defective and so the cells won’t take in much sugar Diabetes Animation (blausen.com) Diabetes Animation (blausen.com)

Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis The kidneys filter the blood to remove waste products, toxins, and excess fluid - maintaining its natural balance (homeostasis). The kidneys filter the blood to remove waste products, toxins, and excess fluid - maintaining its natural balance (homeostasis). When the kidneys fail the blood must still be filtered in some way or the person will die. When the kidneys fail the blood must still be filtered in some way or the person will die. The filtering processes involved rely on the principles of diffusion and osmosis The filtering processes involved rely on the principles of diffusion and osmosis

Peritoneal Dialysis The peritoneum (the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity) is used as a natural filter. The peritoneum (the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity) is used as a natural filter. Fluid containing water, glucose and ions (dialysate) is pumped into peritoneal cavity. Fluid containing water, glucose and ions (dialysate) is pumped into peritoneal cavity. Waste materials will move down their concentration gradient and into the dialysate. Waste materials will move down their concentration gradient and into the dialysate. The dialysate and waste products can then be removed from the body. The dialysate and waste products can then be removed from the body. This treatment can be done at home This treatment can be done at home animation animation

Peritoneal Dialysis

Hemodialysis Blood is removed from the body, filtered in a special machine and then returned to the body. This procedure is only available in a health facility. Blood is removed from the body, filtered in a special machine and then returned to the body. This procedure is only available in a health facility. animation animation

Reverse Osmosis Forcing water against the concentration gradient to filter out the impurities Forcing water against the concentration gradient to filter out the impurities Desalination of sea water Desalination of sea water