Abstract
A one-dimensional model of a polymer threading a membrane has been examined with Monte Carlo methods. If the membrane is separating two regions with different interactions with the polymer segments, the chain is pulled to the energetically favored region. However, in the presence of temporary adducts that alter the effective interaction, the chain is able to oscillate between the two regions. This may be viewed as a simple model for transport through membranes and constitutes a concentration-gradient driven polymeric pump.