It is well known that basic science can trigger an invention of
considerable technological and commercial importance. Indeed basic
science and invention are often inextricably linked, each being able to
catalyse the other. To engender such developments it is important that
there should be good communication between the scientist and the
technologist. The field of membrane biotechnology is a growing field
where such communication is increasingly taking place and where new
inventions are occurring. This book provides an overview of this
developing field. It contains chapters by scientist and technologists
working in the field of Membrane Biotechnology. The chapters cover the
latest advances in basic science as well as some recent technological
applications. The basic topics include the application of dynamic X-ray
diffraction to lipid water systems, FTIR spectroscopy applied to
membrane proteins, fluorescent analogues of phosphoinositides, studies
of platelet activating factor, antibody binding to model membranes and
phospholipase C induced fusion. The technological topics described
include the development of new haemocompatible materials based upon
biomembrane mimicry, new lung surfactant materials, drug delivery
systems including liposomes and the development of new biosensors
including Langmuir Blodgett films. The meeting showed that there are
many other useful applications in the pipeline. The potential for new
polymeric drug delivery systems, of ion selective systems based on the
knowledge of ion-channel protein structures, of new plastics for cell
growth and cellular engineering for artificial organs. These are among
the interesting developments that are emerging in this field.
