Physical chemistry of biological interfaces: generic and specific roles of soft interlayers.

Nature defines the spatial boundaries between different phases using membranes, and the interfacial interactions are mediated by soft biopolymer interlayers that contain various carbohydrates. This Review provides a comprehensive overview on the interplay of generic and specific interactions at cell-cell and cell-tissue interfaces. A focus will be put on the combination of defined model systems, experimental techniques in real- and reciprocal space, and theoretical simulations.