Membraneeriset

Membraneeriset is a Finnish term used to refer to membranous structures or assemblies that create boundaries and compartments in biological systems, and, in materials science contexts, to engineered membrane systems. The word combines a membrane-related root with a suffix denoting plural structures. In biology, membraneeriset include the membranes that enclose cells and organelles such as the plasma membrane, nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and vesicles. They are primarily composed of lipid bilayers with embedded proteins and are characterized by selective permeability, fluidity, and dynamic remodeling through fusion and fission.

In materials science and biotechnology, membraneeriset describe artificial or semi-synthetic membranes such as liposomes, supported lipid bilayers, polymer membranes, and lipid–polymer hybrids, used in drug delivery, biosensing, filtration, and organ-on-a-chip technologies.

Key properties include composition, thickness, permeability, and phase behavior, which influence function. Common methods to study them include electron and fluorescence microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and membrane permeation assays.

Overall, membraneeriset are central to cellular organization and to a range of technological applications that exploit selective barriers and compartmentalization.

See also: cell membrane; organelle membranes; lipid bilayer; vesicle; liposome; membrane fusion; synthetic biology.