Invited Paper BI-ThM1
Surface-supported Bilayer Platforms for Fundamental Research and Biotechnological Applications

Thursday, October 18, 2007, 8:00 am, Room 609

Approximately 20% of the open reading frames in complex organisms encode membrane-associated proteins. Despite their abundance and key roles in cell adhesion, recognition, motility, energy production, transport of nutrients and cholesterol, our knowledge of the folding and the structure of membrane proteins is limited, and lags far behind that of soluble proteins. In part, this is due to limited biophysical tools to adequately probe the physical-chemical principles underlying membrane protein function. In our laboratory we have developed a model surface-supported bilayer platform, based on a directed assembly approach that overcomes current limitations associated with traditional black lipid membranes and self-assembled membrane mimetics. The behavior of the proteins in the surface-supported bilayer, as determined by their sequence, is not altered by the assembly method. Thus, the platform is suitable for biophysical characterization of membrane proteins and can be used as a tool to probe diffusivity, secondary structure, thermodynamics of interactions, and electrical response. The long-term goal is to use the platform for biotechnological applications, including drug screens and analyte sensing.