Strange kinetics of bulk-mediated diffusion on lipid bilayers.

Diffusion at solid-liquid interfaces is crucial in many technological and biophysical processes. Although its behavior seems to be deceivingly simple, recent studies showing passive superdiffusive transport suggest that diffusion on surfaces may hide rich complexities. In particular, bulk-mediated diffusion occurs when molecules are transiently released from the surface to perform three-dimensional excursions into the liquid bulk.

Superdiffusive motion of membrane-targeting C2 domains.

Membrane-targeting domains play crucial roles in the recruitment of signalling molecules to the plasma membrane. For most peripheral proteins, the protein-to-membrane interaction is transient. After proteins dissociate from the membrane they have been observed to rebind following brief excursions in the bulk solution.