Abstract
In this review, membrane-functionalized pore arrays and pore-spanning membranes are revisited as versatile tools in biophysical research. Pore-spanning membranes can be generated on different pore arrays such as porous alumina and porous silicon substrates using appropriate surface functionalization strategies. Their mechanical properties can be readily determined by force indentation experiments revealing that the lateral tension of the membranes is strongly governed by the surface modification of the pore rims. Pore-spanning membranes separate two aqueous compartments, which makes them well-suited to study transport processes across these membranes and entrap molecules into the underlying atto- to pico-liter sized compartments. Besides pore-spanning membranes, membranes covering the entire porous area provide a large surface area for molecular recognition events making this system well-suited for biosensor applications and as an extraction unit for protein purification.
Highlights
Fabrication of porous substrates is feasible on the nano- to micrometre scale from different materials with a variety of different surface functionalization strategies
These methods are a prerequisite for the preparation of pore-spanning membranes with tailored properties, such as tuned membrane tension and defined composition, which is the first step towards artificial plasma membranes
Pore-spanning membranes are suited to determine the mechanical properties of defined lipid compositions with high spatial resolution, which allows the investigation of spatial inhomogeneities
Summary
Biomimetic functionalization of porous substrates: towards model systems for cellular membranes. Membrane-functionalized pore arrays and pore-spanning membranes are revisited as versatile tools in biophysical research. Pore-spanning membranes can be generated on different pore arrays such as porous alumina and porous silicon substrates using appropriate surface functionalization strategies. Their mechanical properties can be readily determined by force indentation experiments revealing that the lateral tension of the membranes is strongly governed by the surface modification of the pore rims. Besides pore-spanning membranes, membranes covering the entire porous area provide a large surface area for molecular recognition events making this system well-suited for biosensor applications and as an extraction unit for protein purification
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