Transcript Membrane Transport Mechanisms in Industry and Medicine

Membrane Transport Mechanisms
in Industry and Medicine
Membrane Technologies
Technology uses natural systems as a
model for building efficient
manufactured systems.
 Advancement in medicine and Industry
has largely been due to research into
the structure and function of the cell
membrane.
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Membrane Technologies
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Membrane technology involves the
research and development of synthetic
materials to function like the cell
membrane
Recognition Proteins
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Proteins in the membrane that allow
cells to recognize other cells
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Examples: Egg and sperm cells, Immune
system: recognition of specific viruses,
bacteria or early stage cancer cells
Receptor Proteins
Receptor Proteins
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Receptor Proteins: bind with specific
molecules that trigger a response such
as receptor mediated endocytosis
Proteins in the membrane have sugar
groups attached to them that help identify
the virus or bacteria
 Certain viruses also use this process to
target human cells: HIV,Hepatitis, and
Influenza
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Membrane Properties
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Membrane Technologies look at
developing and testing drug therapies
involving recognition and receptor
proteins
Membrane Properties
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Importance of determining the 3-D shape
of certain molecules
Lock-and-key fit between molecule and
receptor protein
 Locking out the virus by blocking the receptor
 Reduces effects of medications that affect
healthy cells
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Cancer Research
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Looking at the possibility of identifying
membrane proteins unique to cancer cells
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developing a possible drug specific to those
proteins which could possibly identify cancer
cells to be destroyed by the bodies immune
system
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animation
Synthetic Membrane Technology
Liposomes
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specially designed vesicles: fluid-filled sacs
that have a phospholipid bilayer containing
water soluble medications.
Liposomes
The membrane can be manipulated to
attach and release their contents in
specifically targeted cells.
 Causes less damage to healthy cells.
 Used in HIV and cancer treatments
 Have the ability to circulate in the blood
system much longer than the medication
would on its own
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Gene Therapy
Liposomes used like viruses
 Contain DNA that once injected into the
cell will produce toxins that will kill the
cancerous cell
 animation
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Transport of Protein Hormones
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Insulin
a hormone released into blood when
elevated levels of sugar are detected in the
pancreas. Insulin binds to receptors in liver,
muscle and fat cells, triggering a response
in these cells to take in glucose
 “diabetes pill” stimulates the production of
more insulin or increases cell sensitivity to
insulin for people with Type II Diabetes
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Diabetes
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Type I Diabetes:
can’t produce insulin
 have to take insulin injections to help
regulate blood sugar levels
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Type II Diabetes:
Pancreas produces insulin but receptors on
the cell membrane are defective and so the
cells won’t take in much sugar
 Diabetes Animation (blausen.com)
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Peritoneal Dialysis and
Hemodialysis
The kidneys filter the blood to remove waste
products, toxins, and excess fluid maintaining its natural balance (homeostasis).
 When the kidneys fail the blood must still be
filtered in some way or the person will die.
 The filtering processes involved rely on the
principles of diffusion and osmosis
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Peritoneal Dialysis
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The peritoneum (the membrane that lines the
abdominal cavity) is used as a natural filter.
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Fluid containing water, glucose and ions
(dialysate) is pumped into peritoneal cavity .
Waste materials will move down their
concentration gradient and into the dialysate.
The dialysate and waste products can then be
removed from the body.
This treatment can be done at home
animation
Peritoneal Dialysis
Hemodialysis
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Blood is removed from the body, filtered
in a special machine and then returned
to the body. This procedure is only
available in a health facility.
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animation
Reverse Osmosis
Forcing water against the concentration
gradient to filter out the impurities
 Desalination of sea water
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