Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 9: Posters: Membranes

BP 9.10: Poster

Monday, March 11, 2013, 17:30–19:30, Poster B2

Pore-spanning lipid bilayers on microchips — •Theresa Kaufeld and Christoph F. Schmidt — Drittes Physikalisches Institut, Biophysik Universität Göttingen

Several methods exist for artificial membrane formation, e.g. membranes on a solid hydrophilic support, or the classical BLM, a free-standing lipid bilayer formed across hydrophobic apertures. We have here focused on the reconstitution of lipid bilayers on porous substrates, combining the stability of solid supports and the accessibility of both sides of the bilayer of the classical BLM which is necessary for electrical recordings of membrane channels. We have designed microsubstrates with individually addressable arrays of micrometer-sized apertures for electrical experiments and fluorescence microscopy, which are also suitable for other techniques such as mechanical manipulation of lipid bilayers. The substrates were characterized in terms of surface roughness and pore geometry by SEM and AFM. Impedance spectroscopy was used to characterize the substrate electrically and showed a resistance in the kilo-Ohm range, which is clearly distinguishable from the Giga-Ohm seal. Solvent-free lipid bilayers were formed by GUV-spreading and imaged with fluorescence microscopy. Electric experiments using Gramicidin D as a test ion channel showed suitability for single channel resolution.