Membrangang

Membrangang is a term in synthetic biology for a network of membrane-bound compartments that share resources and signaling through selective transport. It describes systems where enzymatic or genetic modules are distributed across vesicle-bound units that assemble into a functional continuum.

Structure and operation. Each unit is an artificial or natural lipid bilayer vesicle containing molecular machinery. Interactions occur via pore-forming proteins, vesicle fusion, or nanotube-like connections; signaling molecules, metabolites, or RNA can traverse membranes. The arrangement can promote division of labor, spatial organization, and robustness, with membranes providing a selective barrier and local environments.

Applications and research. Membrangano networks are studied as models of protocell-like systems, as platforms for distributed biosynthesis, and for smart therapeutics where parallel compartments process inputs before a collective output. In materials science, membrangang concepts inform programmable vesicle networks and microfluidic architectures. Challenges include controlling connectivity, stability, and measurement of intermembrane exchange.

History and terminology. The term membrangang has appeared in theoretical discussions and some experimental reports in the 2020s, but remains less standardized than related concepts such as protocell networks or organelle-like reactors. It is used descriptively to emphasize membrane-mediated coupling rather than to designate a single physical entity.

See also. Protocells, membrane fusion, vesicle trafficking, synthetic biology, nanoreactors.