Membranes from Polymerizable Lipids

Potential technological applications for artificial lipid and proteo-lipid membranes, such as capsules for controlled delivery of drugs and coatings for biosensors and biomaterials, are in many cases limited by the inherent instability of lipid lamellar phases. Development of methods to stabilize artificial lipid membranes has therefore been a focus of research efforts since the 1970s. Linear and cross-linking polymerization of synthetic lipid monomers is a well-studied strategy. Several comprehensive reviews on polymerizable lipids and supramolecular structures derived from them appeared between 1985 and 2002. Consequently, this review focuses on significant developments in this field during 2000-2008. These include synthesis of new types of polymerizable lipids, creation and characterization of novel poly(lipid) membrane systems, and applications of polymerized vesicles and membranes in chemical sensing, separations science, drug delivery, materials biocompatibility, and energy storage. Polymerization of membranes to achieve stability and their functionalization for technological applications are emphasized.