We have developed two types of hybrid, biomimetic, lipid-based nanostructures that have potential applications in biosensing, drug targeting, and drug delivery.One of these consists of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in which lipid bilayers are covalently anchored to the surface of nanotubes to support the insertion of membrane proteins. First, MWCNTs with sufficient radius of curvature for formation of lipid bilayers were covalently modified with primary amine-bearing phospholipids. Then, a second monolayer of lipids was self-assembled on the MWCNT surface in a sonication process. Multiple analytical techniques confirmed the formation of biomimetic lipid bilayers on  MWCNT surfaces capable of supporting membrane protein insertion. The bilayer-coated MWCNTs were dispersible in aqueous buffer and the resulting suspensions were highly stable.To improve liposome stability, we have constructed poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel-anchored liposomes. A PEG hydrogel was fabricated in the core of liposomes made from lipids that covalently integrate into the gel network.

Lipid-based hybrid nanostructures mimicking biological membranes

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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