ABSTRACT
Many important cellular processes involve the membrane coming into contact with solid particles such as proteins, viral capsids, or artificial nanoparticles; and these processes can be mimicked using giant unilamellar vesicles. In this chapter, we review the basic aspects of particle-membrane interactions from a theoretical perspective. After a brief description of adsorption, incorporation, and translocation of small particles, we focus on engulfment, which occurs for particles much larger than the membrane thickness and is directly related to cellular endo- and exocytosis. For spherical particles, we describe in detail how engulfment depends on membrane properties, in particular on the asymmetry of the membrane and on the local membrane curvature, as well as on the size and adhesiveness of the particles. Finally, we discuss the engulfment of non-spherical and deformable particles, and the simultaneous engulfment of many particles by the membrane.
