Download Ion Channel Sensors

Ion Channel Sensors
In order to understand transport in membrane supported ion channels, we have fabricated
synthetic lipid bilayer with embedded ion channels on nanoporous silica support. AmB peptides
form channels in bilayer system via self-assembly and provide a model system representing
selectively permeable biological membranes with excellent gating mechanism. Our approach
employed self-assembled, nanoporous silica films as a new type of lipid bilayer membrane
support/interface imparting fluidity and durability by creating ionic reservoir akin to cytosol.
These synthetic ion channel integrated with electronic platforms enable real time conversion of
molecular recognition events into digitized/quantized electronic signals. We have investigated
the influence of a nanoporous silica support on the ion channel structure and function by in-situ
AFM ion and conductance recordings.
Future plan:
Engineer and control the channel diameter via underlying nanoporous support and vary the
channel surface chemistries to allow/block ions, DNA strands, peptides of great interest in
sensing devices, proteomics and DNA sequencing.