Formation and Utilization of Stable Lipid Membranes with Multiple Resistance States. Properties of Stabilized Lipid Bilayers

摘要

Two mechanisms have been used successfully for increasing lipid bilayer membrane stability to mechanical and electrical stress. A polymer (ethyl cellulose or polyamide) may be incorporated into the lipid solution so that a supporting matrix is generated simultaneously with the formation of the bilayer, or the lipid solution may be spread on a microporous, very thin polyamide film so that bilayers develop in some of the pores. Both types develop negative resistance characteristics on reaction with EIM (excitability inducing material) although the behavior might not be as good as in the normal, unstabilized lipid bilayers. Studies were made on the basic mechanisms of variable resistance in EIM membranes. Simple, cast polymeric membranes have been produced with nonlinear resistances that appear to depend upon formation of a very thin barrier layer where steep voltage gradients develop. (Author)