Methodologies to immobilize biological molecules on the solid surface are important for a wide range of biomedical applications. We previously developed substrate supported model cellular membranes composed of polymeric and fluid phospholipid bilayers. The polymeric bilayer acts as a framework that supports embedded lipid membranes with defined boundaries. The embedded lipid membranes, on the other hand, retain some important characteristics of the biological membrane such as fluidity. Herein we describe a technique to chemically functionalize the surface of polymeric bilayers. Polymeric bilayers having ethanolamine groups at their hydrophilic surface could be functionalized with biological molecules such as biotin and peptides. By using the functionalized surfaces, we could immobilize proteins, cells, and 3D objects (e.g. micro-fabricated elastomer) by molecular recognition. This technique enables to vertically extend the model membrane system, giving possibilities to integrate model membranes and various analytical platforms.

Surface functionalization of polymeric lipid bilayers for coupling a model membrane with molecules, cells, and 3D objects

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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