Book excerpt: Membrane proteins and membrane lipids form complex interactive systems that are highly dynamic and able to be studied only by combinations of different in vivo and in vitro techniques. In Membrane Biogenesis: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field present a broad collection of methods to study the biogenesis and function of cellular membranes. Beginning with how membrane lipids or membrane proteins can be studied, this detailed volume continues with sections covering different procedures to investigate the interaction of membrane proteins among each other or with membrane lipids, methods to study the biogenesis of membrane proteins and the dynamics of organelles, as well as protocols for the analyses of the functions or complex organization of membrane proteins. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Extensive and easily applicable, Membrane Biogenesis: Methods and Protocols provides readers with a comprehensive but still concise collection including both basic protocols of rather general application and more specialized methods for specific and novel techniques.