Delivery of molecules to a lipid bilayer
First Claim
1. A method of inserting a membrane protein into a planar lipid bilayer in an apparatus having an electrical circuit capable of measuring an electrical signal across the planar lipid bilayer, the method comprising:
- providing a probe which is a macroscopic element arranged to be movable manually or by a mechanical system and having a carrier surface capable of holding the membrane protein;
depositing the membrane protein on the carrier surface of the probe so that the membrane protein is held on the carrier surface;
moving the probe manually or by a mechanical system to engage the carrier surface against the planar lipid bilayer wherein the carrier surface is capable of holding the membrane protein less strongly than the planar lipid bilayer and to cause the membrane protein to be inserted into the lipid bilayer, the insertion being detected on the basis of the electrical signal measured by the electrical circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of delivering a molecule, such as a membrane protein, to a lipid bilayer uses a probe capable of holding the molecule on a carrier surface thereof. The molecule is deposited on the carrier surface and the probe is moved to engage the carrier surface against the lipid bilayer. The carrier surface may be the surface of a drop of hydrogel which adsorbs the molecule. The molecule may be a membrane protein which is thus inserted into the lipid bilayer. The method is fast and simple to perform thereby allowing high throughput experimentation.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of inserting a membrane protein into a planar lipid bilayer in an apparatus having an electrical circuit capable of measuring an electrical signal across the planar lipid bilayer, the method comprising:
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providing a probe which is a macroscopic element arranged to be movable manually or by a mechanical system and having a carrier surface capable of holding the membrane protein; depositing the membrane protein on the carrier surface of the probe so that the membrane protein is held on the carrier surface; moving the probe manually or by a mechanical system to engage the carrier surface against the planar lipid bilayer wherein the carrier surface is capable of holding the membrane protein less strongly than the planar lipid bilayer and to cause the membrane protein to be inserted into the lipid bilayer, the insertion being detected on the basis of the electrical signal measured by the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification