Robust Hybrid Thin Films that Incorporate Lamellar Phospholipid Bilayer Assemblies and Transmembrane Proteins

Abstract

The present disclosure provides various novel methods for forming hybrid thin films that contain multi-lamellar assemblies of phospholipid bilayers and can incorporate proteins, polypeptides, biological complexes, transmembrane proteins and other membrane-associated compounds. The present disclosure further provides uses for such bilayer lipid membranes including, biosensing for medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring, chemical and biological warfare agent sequestration, actuator development, and bio-fuel cell development.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An artificial hybrid lipid-polymer membrane comprising a biomolecular complex, wherein the membrane exhibits substantially constant d-spacing. 
     
     
         2 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the d-spacing is between 35 to 48 {acute over (Å)}. 
     
     
         3 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the structure of the membrane is a planar lamellar structure. 
     
     
         4 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is inorganic. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is organic. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is an inorganic-organic hybrid. 
     
     
         7 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 4  wherein the inorganic polymer is silica. 
     
     
         8 . The hybrid lipid-silica membrane of  claim 7  wherein the silica is formed from tetramethylorthosilicate, tetraethylortho silicate, aminopropyltrimethyoxysilane, hydroxymethyltriethoxysilane, or methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane. 
     
     
         9 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 5  wherein the organic polymer is formed from poly (vinyl alcohol), poly (vinyl pyrrolidone), poly (ethylene oxide), hydroxy-propyl cellulose, dextran, agarose, sucrose, glucose and trehalose; poly (acrylic acid), poly (sodium styrene sulphonate), poly acrylamide (PAM), alignate, chitosan-EDTA, carbomer, pectins, DNA, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), chitosin, and poly-lysinehydroxyethyl methacrylate. 
     
     
         10 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of 1, wherein the lipid is 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-pho sphoethanolamine, 1,2-dimyristo yl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (S odium Salt), 1-myristoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (14:0 Lyso PC), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-oleoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, L-α-phosphatidylcholine or 1,1′,2,2′-tetramyristoyl cardiolipin. 
     
     
         11 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is supported by a solid support. 
     
     
         12 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the solid support is silicon wafer, silane-silicon, self-assembled monolayer-gold, SnO2, polymer coated substrate, gold, or porous Alumina. 
     
     
         13 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the solid support is macroporous. 
     
     
         14 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the solid support is microporous. 
     
     
         15 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the biomolecular complex is a protein. 
     
     
         16 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the biomolecular complex is a peptide. 
     
     
         17 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the biomolecular complex is selected from the group consisting of a g couple protein receptor, an ion channel, a ligand gated channel, a voltage gated channel, a light gated channel, or an active transport system. 
     
     
         18 . The hybrid lipid-polymer membrane of  claim 1  wherein the biomolecular complex is selected from the group consisting of porins, alpha-hemolysin, or a toxin.