Synthetic (polymer) biology (membrane): functionalization of polymer scaffolds for membrane proteins

[Display omitted] •Polymer-based scaffolds functionally present membrane proteins.•Repertoire of polymer-based supports and incorporation methodologies are presented.•Conceptual and technological advances, along with technical challenges are proposed. A plethora of polymer-based scaffolds have been designed to facilitate biochemical and biophysical investigation of membrane proteins, with a common goal to stabilize and present them in a functional format. In this review, an up-to-date account of such polymer-based supports and incorporation methodologies are presented. Furthermore, conceptual and imminent technological advances, with associated technical challenges are proposed.