Method of forming bilayer membrane by contact between amphipathic monolayers and apparatus therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides a simple and an accurate method of forming a bilayer membrane by the contact of amphipathic monolayers and an apparatus therefor. The method is characterized in that the organic solvent (2) containing lipid molecules is introduced into a first microchannel (1) formed on a substrate (5). A liquid (4) immiscible with the organic solvent (2) containing lipid molecules is introduced into a second microchannel (3), which crosses the first microchannel (1) from both sides to form an intersection, from both ends of the second microchannel (3) toward the intersection. Amphipathic monolayers (2A) opposing each other are formed at the interfaces between the liquid (4) and the organic solvent (2), and finally a lipid bilayer membrane (2B) is obtained by bringing the amphipathic monolayers (2A) into contact and fusing, by the contact of the interfaces of the liquid (4) introduced from the both ends of the second microchannel (3) with the control of the pressure of the liquid (4) using syringe pumps.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.