Polymer membranes as templates for bio-applications ranging from artificial cells to active surfaces

Membranes represent essential barriers between the interfaces of living systems. Their importance as an intrinsic and extrinsic barrier of cells and consequent direct involvement in endless cellular processes has sparked the design in vitro bioinspired artificial membranes. Bioinspired systems allow us to create simplified model membranes either as vesicular compartments or planar bilayers, helping to elucidate roles of individual membrane building blocks. Especially amphiphilic block copolymers have been proven to be particularly appealing materials, because they provide a mean of designing membranes with improved stability and allow extended chemical functionalisation. When serving as templates for the incorporation of functional biomolecules, artificial polymer membranes have shown promising applications as artificial organelles, artificial and active surfaces.