Masking apertures enabling automation and solution exchange in sessile droplet lipid bilayers

Reconstitution of ion channels and transmembrane proteins in planar lipid bilayer membranes allow for their scientific study in highly controlled environments. Recent work with lipid bilayers formed from mechanically joined monolayers has shown their potential for wider technological application, including automation and parallelization. However, bilayer areas are highly sensitive to variations in mechanical position and the bilayers themselves cannot withstand significant perfusion of adjacent solutions. Toward this end, here we describe use of an aperture that masks the monolayer contact area, enabling formation of highly consistent bilayer areas and significantly reducing their variation with changes in relative position of the monolayers. Further, use of the aperture enables flow of solution adjacent to the bilayer without rupture or significant change in bilayer area. The device design is scalable and compatible with SBS standard instrumentation and automation technology, potentially enabling its use for rapid, parallel automated measurements of ion channels for large scale scientific studies and pharmaceutical screening.