Patent ID: 7674610
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for probing changes in a membrane by applying an electric field, comprising: providing a base, electrically conductive walls spaced apart from each other and disposed on said base, wherein said conductive walls and said base form a containment region that is configured to receive a membrane, said membrane having opposing top and bottom membrane surfaces and an interior reference plane that is bounded by said membrane surfaces and extends along said membrane, and said membrane having side surfaces, said base being comprised of an electrically insulative material in said containment region, wherein said conductive walls extend to a height above said base that is at least as large as a thickness of said membrane; wherein said membrane is selected from the group consisting of: a monolayer or bilayer comprised of amphipathic lipids, a cell membrane, at least one biological cell, a molecular bilayer, liquid crystals and combinations thereof; positioning said membrane in said containment region so as to contact said side surfaces of said membrane with said conductive walls and said bottom surface of said membrane flat in contact with said base in said containment region; applying an electric field between said conductive walls along the plane of said membrane; and using microscopy to monitor changes in said membrane caused by application of said electric field.