Abstract
We demonstrate a novel protective configuration for a gated channel biosensor. The bilayer membrane containing the channel proteins is formed by a simple self-assembly technique ensuring continuous coverage of the interface between two slabs of agarose gel by a biomimetic lamella in a fluid state. The gel protects both membrane surfaces from mechanical shock and contact with low-energy media while allowing diffusion of biomolecules up to 10 MDa in weight. The technique has been demonstrated using both dioleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and a phosphatidylcholine lipid cross-linked with a short polysiloxane chain (PSPC). The conductance per unit area of the channel-free membrane produced by this method was less than 25 S m−2 for DOPC and 2 S m−2 for PSPC, and the bilayer nature of the barrier in both cases has been demonstrated by measurement of the capacitance. The applicability to sensors has been confirmed using gramicidin-D, a 1·1 kDa unilamellar lipid bilayer pore former, and partially confirmed using valinomycin, a selective ion transporter. On incorporation of gramicidin the membrane conductance increased by over an order of magnitude. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published Version
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