Patent ID: 6602398
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: A61K,C12Q,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for transporting a cation through a channel in a membrane in an assay which comprises:(a) providing an assembled stable bilayer or multi layer membrane having a first side and a second side and the channel therethrough, wherein the membrane separates two aqueous regions such that there is one of the regions on each of the sides of the membrane, wherein the membrane exhibits single channel current-voltage relationship ratios between 40 mV and 120 mV for Ca+2, Sr+2, and Ba+2 when an identical solution is present in the two aqueous regions, and wherein the membrane comprises: a phospholipid bilayer or multilayer produced from isolated phospholipids which separates the two aqueous regions; and one or more channels produced from a substantially pure mixture of (1) an isolated polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and (2) an isolated polyphosphate, the PHB and the polyphosphate each having molecular weights which allow the formation of the channel across the phospholipid during assembly of the membrane; and (b) providing transport means for transporting the cation through the channel in the membrane in the assay.