Method of forming bilayer membrane by contact between amphipathic monolayers and apparatus therefor
AssigneeThe University of Tokyo
InventorsShoji Takeuchi, Hiroaki Suzuki, Kei Funakoshi
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Abstract
The present invention provides simple and an accurate apparatuses for forming bilayer membranes by the contact of amphipathic monolayers. In one apparatus, amphipathic monolayers are brought into contact and fused by controlling the pressure of liquids introduced from microchannels forming an intersection containing a chamber. In another apparatus, the chamber includes a number of compartments and at least one construction portion. In this apparatus, a droplet is formed within each compartment and contact of amphipatic monolayers is accomplished by adjusting the size of the droplets.
Claims17
An apparatus for forming a bilayer membrane by contact of amphipathic monolayers, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a substrate;
- b) a first microchannel formed on the substrate, wherein the first microchannel is supplied with an organic solvent comprising amphipathic molecules;
- c) a second microchannel formed on the substrate, orthogonally intersecting the first microchannel to form two opposing inlets;
- d) a square-shaped chamber at the intersection of the first and second microchannels, wherein a width of the square-shaped chamber is greater than widths of the two opposing inlets;
- e) at least one pump connected to ends of the second microchannel, said pump configured to supply the second microchannel with a liquid which is immiscible with the organic solvent;
- and
- f) a control unit connected to the at least one pump and configured such that a distance between opposing monolayer interfaces, which form between the organic solvent and the immiscible liquid in the square-shaped chamber, is controlled by pressure from the at least one pump allowing bilayer membrane formation by bringing the opposing monolayer interfaces into contact.
An apparatus for forming a bilayer membrane by contact of amphipathic monolayers, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a substrate;
- b) a chamber formed on the substrate, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of compartments separated by at least one constriction portion, and the chamber is supplied with an organic solvent comprising amphipathic molecules;
- and
- c) a liquid unit configured for introducing at least one liquid immiscible with the organic solvent to the approximate center of each compartment to generate a liquid droplet therein, such that a distance between opposing monolayer interfaces, which form between the organic solvent and the immiscible liquid in the constriction portion, is controlled by the introducing of the immiscible liquid to enlarge the size of the liquid droplet allowing bilayer membrane formation by bringing the opposing monolayer interfaces into contact,
- wherein the compartments each consist of:
- a floor situated in a lower plane of the substrate;
- a curved wall optionally containing a first channel for introducing the organic solvent into the compartment, said wall partially surrounding and thereby enclosing the compartment such that an opening not surrounded by the wall faces an adjacent constriction portion;
- and
- optionally a ceiling situated in an upper plane of the substrate, said ceiling containing a second channel for the introducing of the immiscible liquid to the approximate center of the compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.