Biomimetic Triblock Copolymer Membrane Arrays: A Stable Template forFunctional Membrane Proteins

摘要

It is demonstrated that biomimetic stable triblock copolymer membrane arrays can be prepared using a scaffoldcontaining 64 apertures of 300 μmdiameter each. The membranes were made from a stock solution of block copolymerswith decane as a solvent using a new deposition method. By using decane, we avoid low molecular weight solvents suchas chloroform and toluene, which are strong protein denaturants. The membranes show a low ionic conductance anda long lifetime at room temperature. Contrast phase microscopy shows the presence of a polymer region delimited bya Plateau-Gibbs border similar to what is observed in black lipid membranes. The ion-channel gramicidin A wassuccessfully incorporated into the membrane in a functional form.