Abstract
We propose a simple molecular-based device model of the retina which has the function to convert light signals to electric signals through changes in the membrane structure. The model device consisted of photosensitive lipid membranes in a porous substrate and an external electric oscillation circuit. The photosensitive membrane was prepared by impregnating a Nuclepore porous membrane with the lipid mixture 4′-octylazobenzene-4-oxybutyric acid and monoolein. With this model device the oscillation frequency was decreased by UV irradiation and increased to the original level by visible irradiation, corresponding to the trans-cis conformational change in the azobenzene group. A similar response was observed for membrane resistance and capacitance. These results demonstrated that this reversible change in the oscillation frequency was due to the change in membrane structure initiated by the photoreaction.
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