Dry Two-Step Self-Assembly of Stable Supported Lipid Bilayers on Silicon Substrates.

ABSTRACT: Artificial membranes are models for biological systems and are important for applications. We introduce a dry two-step self-assembly method consisting of the high-vacuum evaporation of phospholipid molecules over silicon, followed by a subsequent annealing step in air. We evaporate dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) molecules over bare silicon without the use of polymer cushions or solvents. High-resolution ellipsometry and AFM temperature-dependent measurements are performed in air to detect the characteristic phase transitions of DPPC bilayers. Complementary AFM force-spectroscopy breakthrough events are induced to detect single- and multi-bilayer formation. These combined experimental methods confirm the formation of stable non-hydrated supported lipid bilayers with phase transitions

SUBMITTER: Cisternas MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7555443 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature