Integrating reconstituted membrane proteins into free-standing planar lipid bilayers

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method for efficiently integrating membrane proteins, which have been reconstituted into proteoliposomes (artificial lipid vesicles), into preformed, free-standing planar lipid bilayers. By using liposomes and bilayers of opposite electrical charges at body-relevant temperatures, the method enables spontaneous and controlled fusion, resulting in stable bilayers containing the desired membrane proteins. This is especially useful for creating bio-analytical platforms to study protein function, drug interactions, or conduct biosensing.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• High-throughput screening of drugs targeting membrane proteins, ion channels, or transporters.
• Fundamental research into membrane protein function and mechanisms.
• Development of biosensors that rely on membrane protein activity (e.g., for detecting toxins, pharmaceuticals, or neurotransmitters).
• Electrophysiological measurements (patch-clamp studies) using artificial bilayer systems.
• Personalized medicine approaches analyzing patient-specific membrane protein responses.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improved integration efficiency and control over membrane protein density in bilayers.
• Preservation of protein functionality by performing fusion at physiologically relevant temperatures.
• Enables stable and reproducible formation of artificial bilayer systems incorporating specific proteins of interest.
• Facilitates sensitive and accurate biochemical or electrophysiological assays.
• Adaptable to microfluidic and automated high-throughput platforms for screening applications.

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Patent Abstract

A method is presented to integrate reconstituted membrane proteins in liposomes into free-standing planar lipid bilayers used for bio-analytical applications: charged proteoliposomes spontaneously fuse with preformed lipid bilayers of the opposite charge at 37 °C. The preformed bilayer can be generated by self-assembly of lipids dissolved in organic solutions or by fusion of charged liposomes to oppositely charged polymers present in micro- or nanopores.