The membrane can selectively transport molecules and transduce the agonist signals to the cell interior. The major components of membrane bilayer are lipids and proteins, which organize in specific functional ways to form the planar membrane structure. The planar structure changes when amphipathic molecules insert into the different leaflets of membrane bilayer. Human platelets play an important role in thrombosis and heamostasis. Activation of cells by agonists causes platelets to change shape from disc to round irregular form.
Different agonists activate distinct signal transduction pathways in platelets.
We intend to understand the structure-function relationship of biomembrane, and to elucidate the pathological and pharmacological effects of various agent on platelets. J.C. Chen, M.S. Shiao and C.T. Wang Biochem. J.C. Chen, C.N. Wang and C.T. Wang Biochim.