Dielectrophoresis-based liposome delivery to a planar lipid membrane for efficient membrane protein reconstitution

Abstract

This work presents a strategy that realizes efficient incorporation of membrane proteins in liposomes into a planar bilayer lipid membrane by using dielectrophoretic (DEP) force. The device consists of a chamber and a channel separated by a ¿m-sized aperture that suspends a planar bilayer membrane. Applying an AC electric field across the membrane, the DEP force concentrates at the bilayer area therefore attracts the liposomes. We also observed fusion of liposomes autonomously occurs into the lipid membrane under the DEP effect. This DEP-based fusion method will be highly applicable to membrane protein study.