Single molecule measurements within individual membrane-bound ion channels using a polymer-based bilayer lipid membrane chip

Lab Chip. 2008 Apr;8(4):602-8. doi: 10.1039/b716388f. Epub 2008 Feb 29.

Abstract

The measurement of single poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecules interacting with individual bilayer lipid membrane-bound ion channels is presented. Measurements were performed within a polymer microfluidic system including an open-well bilayer lipid membrane formation site, integrated Ag/AgCl reference electrodes for on-chip electrical measurements, and multiple microchannels for independent ion channel and analyte delivery. Details of chip fabrication, bilayer membrane formation, and alpha-hemolysin ion channel incorporation are discussed, and measurements of interactions between the membrane-bound ion channels and single PEG molecules are presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrodes
  • Hemolysin Proteins / analysis*
  • Hemolysin Proteins / metabolism
  • Ion Channels / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / analysis*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Silver / chemistry
  • Silver Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • Ion Channels
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Silver Compounds
  • staphylococcal alpha-toxin
  • Silver
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • silver chloride