Each animal and plant cell can be constructed of at least ten distinctive types of membrane whose isolation and characterization are now feasible using the wide-ranging techniques presented in this book. Both newly developed and more established methods for the analysis of proteins and lipids and for the investigation of their topography are described in detail. Also provided are procedures for the reconstitution and characterization of membrane systems. Particular attention has been paid to immunological approaches for isolating and analyzing membranes and their components and for screening expression systems in molecular cloning. Those biophysical and physico-chemical techniques which have added much to our understanding of membrane structure and function are also included. The text therefore provides a comprehensive collection of modern techniques and approaches used in the study of biological membranes.
