Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for single side bilayer formation

US8124191B2 · kind B2 · utility

23Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 1, 2008
Grant dateFeb 28, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 8, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/10
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for single-sided bilayer formation includes a first fluid chamber including a sidewall and a second fluid chamber extending through the sidewall. A barrier wall separates the first and second fluid chambers and includes a nanopore therein across which a planar lipid bilayer (PLB) is formed. In use, an electrolyte is added to the first and second fluid chambers and a lipid/organic solvent mixture is added to the first fluid chamber to form a lipid/organic solvent layer. The electrolyte level within the first fluid chamber is adjusted such that the lipid layer is raised above the barrier wall and a PLB is formed. Electrolyte levels may be adjusted manually or utilizing a fluid level regulator with or without feedback control. Optionally, the apparatus may be in the form of a nanopore array. The apparatus may be incorporated into an ion channel sensing system wherein an electrical current through each PLB is separately recorded.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.