Bioelectrochemistry of Biomembranes and Biomimetic Membranes

Bioelectrochemistry deals with the role played by electrochemical foundations and techniques in the investigation of processes of biological relevance. It encompasses a multi–disciplinary cooperation and exchange between scientists from electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, biophysics, biotechnology, medical research, electrophysiology and biochemistry. In addition to membrane processes, bielectrochemistry deals with the investigation of the properties and functions of water soluble biomolecules, usually by adsorbing them on surface modified and derivatized electrodes, by studying electron transfer reactions between them and the electrode, and by exploiting such reactions in biosensor applications.

Bioelectrochemistry of Biomembranes and Biomimetic Membranes addresses the bioelectrochemistry of biological membranes and their mimics in a homogeneous and thematically unified way. Invaluable to biochemists, biophysicists, and pharmacological scientists; this book provides insights into the essential principles required to understand why and how electrochemical and electrophysiological tools are fundamental in elucidating the mode of ion transport across biomembranes via ion channels and pumps.

The author provides an exhaustive overview of the potential of biomimetic membranes in the investigation of the function of membrane peptides and proteins by means of various tools and techniques. Developing the contents in a step–by–step approach that encourages students and researchers to read from beginning to end, the book requires only basic physical chemistry and mathematics to be understood, without intermediate stumbling blocks that would discourage the reader from proceeding further.

Rolando Guidelli obtained his degree in Chemistry at Florence University, Italy, and was appointed by Florence University as a lecturer in Electrochemistry. He was then promoted to full professor of Electrochemistry in the Faculty of Science of Florence University. His scientific interests have been focused on electrode kinetics, structure of the metal/water interface and bioelectrochemistry. He has won several distinguished prizes in the field of electrochemistry and is the author and editor of several book chapters on the topic.  Further, he has served as the organizer of several conferences in the field.