Lipids on the move: Simulations of membrane pores, domains, stalks and curves

AbstractIn this review we describe the state-of-the-art of computer simulation studies of lipid membranes. We focus on collective lipid–lipid and lipid–protein interactions that trigger deformations of the natural lamellar membrane state, showing that many important biological processes including self-aggregation of membrane components into domains, the formation of non-lamellar phases, and membrane poration and curving, are now amenable to detailed simulation studies