Micromachined glass apertures for artificial lipid bilayer formation in a microfluidic system

• Published in: Journal of micromechanics and microengineering Vol. 17; no. 7; pp. S189 - S196
• Main Authors: Sandison, Mairi E, Zagnoni, Michele, Abu-Hantash, Mustafa, Morgan, Hywel
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.07.2007; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Applied fluid mechanics; Applied sciences; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluidics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); General and physical chemistry; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Mechanical instruments, equipment and techniques; Membranes; Micromechanical devices and systems; Physics; Precision engineering, watch making; Micromachining; Glass; Electrochemical machining; Hydrophobic compound; Lipids; Artificial membrane; Microfluidics; Bilayers; Fluidics
• ISSN: 0960-1317; 1361-6439
• DOI: 10.1088/0960-1317/17/7/S17

The use of spark assisted chemical engraving (SACE) to produce glass apertures that are suitable for the formation of artificial bilayer lipid membranes is described. Prior to use, the glass apertures were rendered hydrophobic by a silanization process and were then incorporated into a simple microfluidic device. Successful bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) formation and the subsequent acquisition of single-channel recordings are demonstrated. Due to the simplicity and rapidity of the SACE process, these glass apertures could be easily integrated into an all-glass microfluidic system for BLM formation.