Bags of Life
The cells of which our bodies are made are bounded by invisible membranes that are astonishingly tough, durable and electrically insulating. They're made of chemicals related to soap, and have extraordinary properties: just add water and stir - and they instantly turn into the double-layered bags upon which all life on earth depends, and which has made our evolution possible.
This is a detective story of the discovery of the mechanisms that allow these strong barriers to pass salts, nutrients and electrical messages quickly but selectively. And now artificial bags are being developed that may target antibiotics and other materials to exactly where they are needed to control or conquer many of today's most ' difficult ' diseases.
Narrator PAUL VAUGHAN
Film editor RICHARD TREVOR Editor SIMON CAMPBELL-JONES
Written and produced by ALEC NISBETT