Hydrogel-encapsulated lipid membranes.
We have encapsulated free-standing planar lipid membranes in a polymer hydrogel via in situ photopolymerization. These encapsulated membranes were measured to last at least 5 days and provided a stable environment for single-molecule measurements of incorporated alpha-hemolysin channel proteins. The translocation of single-stranded DNA through alpha-hemolysin incorporated into these encapsulated membranes is slowed over 100 times relative to that of the gel-free state. These stabilized membranes, therefore, have application to the single-molecule analysis of DNA as well as broader application to biomolecular sensors, membrane protein biophysical studies, and drug discovery.
Jeon
Tae-Joon
TJ
Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Malmstadt
Noah
N
Schmidt
Jacob J
JJ
D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C021091:staphylococcal alpha-toxin; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D004247:DNA