Method and apparatus for generating a voltage across a membrane
AssigneeAuburn University
InventorsVitaly J. Vodyanoy, Solomon Yilma, Ting To Lo, Alexander Samoylov
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating a transmembrane voltage, including a semiconductive substrate having a surface for receiving a membrane thereon, and a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the semiconductive substrate. Measurement of current through the membrane addresses ion channels through the membrane at the location illuminated by the light source.
Claims16
A method of generating a voltage across a membrane, said method comprising:
- applying a membrane to a semiconductive substrate;
- placing an electrolyte in contact with the portion of the substrate bearing the membrane;
- and
- illuminating at least a portion of the semiconductive substrate with a light source.
A method of observing channel opening events and addressing the topography of a membrane, said method comprising:
- providing a semiconductive substrate having a membrane deposited thereon in contact with an electrolytic solution to form a semiconductor/liquid interface;
- scanning successive portions of the semiconductive substrate with a light source to generate an electrical charge gradient at a location on the semiconductor/liquid interface;
- and
- measuring an electrical current through the membrane.
An apparatus for generating a transmembrane voltage, comprising:
- a semiconductive substrate having a surface for receiving a membrane thereon in contact with an electrolyte to form a semiconductor/electrolyte interface;
- and
- a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the semiconductive substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.