Formation of supported lipid bilayers on indium tin oxide for dynamically-patterned membrane-functionalized...

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are crucial for studying membrane proteins and functions.
• High-throughput screening of membrane-associated processes, like drug interactions with transmembrane proteins, requires functional SLBs in an array format.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the formation of SLBs from anionic vesicles via rupture induced by Ca(2+) on ITO-coated surfaces.
• To demonstrate the formation, manipulation, and regeneration of SLBs on ITO microelectrode arrays using electrical potential.
• To enable addressable assembly and study of electrochemically mediated membrane processes in a regenerable microarray format.

Main Methods:

• Formation of SLBs by rupturing anionic vesicles in the presence of Ca(2+) on ITO-coated surfaces.
• Characterization of SLB assembly and properties.
• Utilizing an electric potential switch for manipulation and regeneration of SLBs on ITO microelectrode array spots.

Main Results:

• Successful formation of SLBs on ITO-coated surfaces.
• Demonstrated control over SLB formation, manipulation, and regeneration using electrical potential.
• Established an addressable SLB microarray platform.

Conclusions:

• The developed platform enables the formation and manipulation of supported lipid bilayers in a microarray format.
• This approach facilitates high-throughput screening and in situ regeneration of membrane studies.
• The electrically controlled SLB platform is suitable for studying electrochemically mediated membrane processes.