Joining patch-clamp and atomic force microscopy techniques for studying black lipid bilayers

摘要

An experimental protocol that enables the direct characterization of freestanding lipid bilayers through a combination of atomic force microscopy and single channel recording is presented. The method consists of producing a 15 μm diameter pore in a 3 μm thick Mylar film that delimits two vessels. The micropore was done by a glass microneedle. L-α-phosphatidylcholine bilayers were routinely painted on the pore, observed by atomic force microscopy, and tested with gramicidin D ion channels.