Sealing of submicrometer wells by a shear-driven lipid bilayer

Nano Lett. 2010 May 12;10(5):1900-6. doi: 10.1021/nl100779k.

Abstract

A supported lipid bilayer (SLB) was formed in a microfluidic channel by vesicle fusion. The SLB, formed on a flat part of the surface, was driven by the shear forces of a bulk flow above the SLB to a part of the surface with embedded submicrometer wells. When using a bulk solution with a pH of 9.5 the advancing lipid bilayer sealed the wells, creating free-spanning membranes, whereas at a pH of 8.0 the SLB instead followed the contour of the wells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Particle Size
  • Shear Strength
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Macromolecular Substances