BACKGROUND:  Lipid bilayers have previously been fabricated through droplet methods difficult to scale up and control in bulk fabrication processes. Although these methods have been inventive in their formation technique, they pose problems when attempting to transition to an automated system, and they also do not allow for simultaneous characterization, and instead rely on additional tools for that process.

INNOVATION:  Researchers at UCLA have identified a method for automating a membrane self-assembly process for creating and measuring lipid bilayers. The invention employs a modified pipette which is responsible for dispensing the second phase required for membrane fabrication and also allows for an electrical pathway to be established, which is necessary for measuring ionic currents associated with the membrane and the ion channel. The unique design of this membrane assembly technique combined with the modified pipette allows for simultaneous fabrication and characterization which drastically cuts down on labor.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Drug development
• Transmembrane protein screening
• Protein based sensors
• Automated membrane and lipid bilayer formation

ADVANTAGES

• Enables parallel manufacturing and characterization
• Reduced labor times
• Compatible with standard automating equipment
• Adaptable to high throughput drug screening systems

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2009-004