Langmuir, Vol.25, No.18, 10447-10450, 2009
Biomimetic Triblock Copolymer Membrane Arrays: A Stable Template for Functional Membrane Proteins
It is demonstrated that biomimetic stable triblock copolymer membrane arrays can be prepared using a scaffold containing 64 apertures of 300 mu m diameter each. The membranes were made from a stock solution of block copolymers with decane as a solvent using a new deposition method. By using decane, we avoid low molecular weight solvents such as chloroform and toluene, which are strong protein denaturants, The membranes show a low ionic conductance and a long lifetime at room temperature. Contrast phase microscopy shows the presence of a polymer region delimited by a Plateau-Gibbs border similar to what is observed in black lipid membranes. The ion-channel gramicidin A was successfully incorporated into the membrane in a functional form.