A tutorial for mesoscale computer simulations of lipid membranes - tether pulling, tubulation and fluctuations - Tutorial Review

Aug 27, 2026

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A tutorial review introduces how to perform mesoscale coarse-grained computer simulations of lipid membranes, lowering barriers for researchers from outside membrane modeling. The text first summarizes modelling approaches for fluid membranes and points to specialized references. It then provides a conceptual pathway for developing mesoscale membrane simulations and delivers a hands-on tutorial. Three membrane models are used to examine tether pulling, membrane tube shape and mechanics, and membrane fluctuations, including discussion of scope and computational cost, supported by ready-to-run tutorial repositories.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Tutorial focus on mesoscale membrane simulations

Coarse-grained modelling approaches and references

Conceptual guide to developing mesoscale simulations

Hands-on tutorial: tether pulling, tubulation and fluctuations

Computational scope and resource intensity

Soft Matter [rsc.li/soft-matter-journal](rsc.li/soft-matter-journal) Volume 21 Number 40 28 October 2025 Pages 7729–7896 ISSN 1744-6848 TUTORIAL REVIEW Anđela Šarić et al. A tutorial for mesoscale computer simulations of lipid membranes: tether pulling, tubulation and fluctuations Open Access Art 2025. Down on 12/30/2025icle . Published on 28 July loaded 10:15:38 AM . hicle is licensed under a Creative C mmons A 3 0 U d[ttr .](ttr .)ibution-NonCommercial npor e nce. Soft Matter | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | T | UTORIAL REVIEW View Article Online | | | | View Journal | View Issue | | Cite this: Soft Matter, 2025, 21, 7736 Received 12th February 2025, Accepted 21st July 2025 DOI: 10.1039/d5sm00148j[rsc.li/soft-matter-journal](rsc.li/soft-matter-journal) 1 Introduction A tutorial for mesoscale computer simulations of lipid membranes: tether pulling, tubulation and fluctuations Maitane Mu oz-Basagoiti, †a Felix Frey, †a Billie Meadowcroft, †ab Miguel Amaral, †a Adam Prada †a and And-ela ˇSari *a Lipid membranes and membrane deformations are a long-standing area of research in soft matter and biophysics. Computer simulations have complemented analytical and experimental approaches as oneof the pillars in the field. However, setting up and using membrane simulations can come with barriers due to the multidisciplinary eﬀort involved and the vast choice of existing simulations models. In this review, we introduce the non-expert reader to coarse-grained membrane simulations at the mesoscale. Firstly, we give a concise overview of the modelling approaches to study fluid membranes, together with guidance to more specialized references. Secondly, we provide a conceptual guide on how to develop mesoscale membrane simulations. Lastly, we construct a hands-on tutorial on how to apply mesoscale membrane simulations, by providing a pedagogical examination of membrane tether pulling, shape and mechanics of membrane tubes, and membrane fluctuations with three diﬀerent membrane models, and discussing them in terms of their scope and how resource-intensive they are. To ease the reader’s venture into the field, we provide a repository with ready-to-run tutorials. the outer; on the other hand, due to the relatively weak forces acting between the lipids that form them, lipid membranes One of the most astonishing results of biological evolution is the genesis of fluid lipid membranes, which have evolved to be remarkably versatile and ubiquitous in biological systems. The relevance of this evolutionary step can be best seen in the outer plasma membrane and the compartmentalization of biological cells, which are fundamentally achieved via fluid lipid membranes. This includes the membrane-enclosed organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, mitochondria or the cell nucleus.1 One could navely assume that in order to shield the interior of a compartment from the exterior, membranes will be rigid and stable, but in fact the opposite is true.2 Cellular membranes exhibit a rich phenomenology of shapes that are drastically remodelled across diﬀerent lengthscales and in various cellular processes such as endo- and exocytosis, cell adhesion, cell migration and cell division.3 This shows that fluid lipid membranes combine complementary physical properties: on the one hand, they spontaneously selfassemble from lipid molecules in an aqueous environment, forming closed surfaces that define and separate the inner from a Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria. E-mail: [andela.saric@ista.ac.at](andela.saric@ista.ac.at) b University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK † MM-B, FF, BM, MA and AP contributed equally to this work. typically operate in the fluid phase in the cell environment and are thus an extremely flexible and malleable material.4 Due to their biological relevance, fluid lipid membranes have been studied for decades

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the tutorial review on lipid membrane simulations?

It guides non-expert readers in using mesoscale coarse-grained computer simulations for lipid membranes, with both conceptual instruction and practical examples.

Which simulation topics are covered in the hands-on tutorial?

It examines tether pulling, the shape and mechanics of membrane tubes, and membrane fluctuations using three different membrane models.

How does the review help readers choose or understand modelling approaches?

It provides a concise overview of modelling approaches for fluid membranes and directs readers to more specialized references before developing mesoscale simulations conceptually.

Aug 27, 2026

Upload by Melati