Mette Galsgaard Malle

1 Introduction Bacteriophages, the most abundant biological entities on Earth, have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to deliver their genetic material into host cells [1]. The T4 bacteriophage, for instance, uses its elongated tail fibers to bind to specific bacterial receptors [2]. Subsequently, it deploys a needle-like structure that penetrates the bacterial membrane, a process facilitated by lytic enzymes that degrade the cell wall.

Abstract Neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD) pose significant health challenges. A major hallmark is the aggregation of α-synuclein into toxic oligomers (αSO) and fibrils. While many efforts focus on slowing disease progression, the molecular origins and mechanisms of αSO toxicity remain poorly understood, particularly its proposed link to membrane disruption.

Biological nanopores play a crucial role in regulating molecular transport across cell membranes, ensuring the proper functioning of physiological processes. (1) Inspired by nature, nanopores have been engineered and exploited for numerous biosensing applications. (2−10) However, the use of biological nanopores is limited by their confined dimensions, and designing de novo large transmembrane proteins is complex and challenging.