A chip-based array for high-resolution fluorescence characterization of free-standing horizontal lipid membranes under voltage clamp

Optical techniques, such as fluorescence microscopy, are of great value in characterizing the structural dynamics of membranes and membrane proteins. A particular challenge is to combine high-resolution optical measurements with high-resolution voltage clamp electrical recordings providing direct in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Lab on a chip 2022-07, Vol.22 (15), p.292-291
Main Authors: Ensslen, Tobias, Behrends, Jan C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arrays
Electric potential
Fluorescence
High resolution
Holes
Ion channels
Lipids
Membranes
Microelectrodes
Micropatterning
Numerical aperture
Optical measurement
Optics
Proteins
Voltage
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Summary:Optical techniques, such as fluorescence microscopy, are of great value in characterizing the structural dynamics of membranes and membrane proteins. A particular challenge is to combine high-resolution optical measurements with high-resolution voltage clamp electrical recordings providing direct information on e.g. single ion channel gating and/or membrane capacitance. Here, we report on a novel chip-based array device which facilitates optical access with water or oil-immersion objectives of high numerical aperture to horizontal free-standing lipid membranes while controlling membrane voltage and recording currents using individual micropatterned Ag/AgCl-electrodes. Wide-field and confocal imaging, as well as time-resolved single photon counting on free-standing membranes spanning sub-nanoliter cavities are demonstrated while electrical signals, including single channel activity, are simultaneously acquired. This optically addressable microelectrode cavity array will allow combined electrical-optical studies of membranes and membrane proteins to be performed as a routine experiment. A chip-based microelectrode cavity array facilitates simultaneous high resolution optical and electrical analysis of free-standing lipid membranes.
ISSN:1473-0197
1473-0189
DOI:10.1039/d2lc00357k