We have recently demonstrated attachment of lipid nanotubes to gold pads utilizing the biotin-avidin adhesion complex. We would like to develop single step attachment to the gold surface using the interaction between gold and sulfur. Our initial attempts using phosphatidylthioethanol as a component in the membrane failed to demonstrate adhesion of the bilayer. We thought that in this case, the thiol group did not extend far enough away from the membrane, remaining buried in the bilayer. Experiments are currently underway in which we are using a thiolipid where the thiol group is connected to the head group of the phospholipid via a short hydrophilic spacer.
Preliminary results show better adhesion to gold.
After the lipid tubule is attached to gold pads, and stabilized by photopolymerization of encapsulated material, we would like to visualize structures using electron or atomic force microscopy. Attempts at making the nanotubes conducting will include the encapsulation and crosslinking of water soluble conductors, metallization via electroless deposition, and the reduction of encapsulated metal salts to form continuous wires. Full size Figure 3 Figure 3 . We would also like to thank Prof. Horst Vogel for providing a sample of a thiolipid synthesized in his group. Martin, C. M. Acc.