Molecular dynamics of biomembranes

The Advanced Study Institute on "Molecular Dynamics of Membranes," held in June 1995 in Cargese, Corsica, focused on protein insertion and translocation, intracellular traffic and sorting of membranes, and lipid-protein interactions. Sponsored by NATO and FEBS, this event marked the fifth in a biennial series that began in 1987 at the Institut d'Etudes Scientifiques, which is well-equipped for such scientific gatherings. The success of these courses is attributed to the contributions of renowned scientists and the enthusiastic participation of graduate students and postdocs, establishing a solid reputation for the "Cargese Lectures on Biomembranes." The proceedings go beyond merely summarizing the course content; they include extensive reviews on various topics. Key articles cover mechanisms of protein transport, the role of invariant chains in antigen presentation, protein import/export in E. coli, protein folding and chaperones, and protein import in chloroplasts and mitochondria. Additionally, discussions on membrane traffic during mitosis, lipid domain formation, and the properties of lipases are featured, alongside phospholipase A2, bioactive lipids, phospholipid transfer proteins, and strategies for phospholipid localization and mobility, culminating in new approaches for protein reconstitution.