Lipid bolaamphiphiles for fabricating membrane-mimetic biomaterials

Abstract In this chapter, we give an overview of the state of art concerning biomimetic membranes based on bolaamphiphiles. After the general introduction of the chapter, we describe the classification between natural and synthetic bolaamphiphiles. The main part of the chapter is subdivided into six parts each presenting the actual state of art in relation to bolaamphiphile biomimetic membranes. In particular, we present translocation across vesicle membranes, membrane dynamics, flip-flop, self-assembly of bolaamphiphiles, nanostructures based on bolaamphiphiles, structural analysis and experimental techniques for characterizing bolaamphiphiles, synthesis of some original bolaamphiphiles, and finally applications such as recognition, encapsulation, drug delivery, and gene delivery.