Sheaf-theoretic representation of the proteolipid code

Abstract

Membrane particles such as proteins and lipids organize into zones that perform unique functions. Here, I introduce a topological and category-theoretic framework to represent particle and zone intra-scale interactions and inter-scale coupling. This involves carefully demarcating between different presheaf- or sheaf-assigned data levels to preserve functorial structure and account for particle and zone generalized poses. The framework can accommodate Hamiltonian mechanics, enabling dynamical modeling. This amounts to a versatile mathematical formalism for membrane structure and multiscale coupling.