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Engineered self-assembly for ion channel protein-based molecular sensors

Graduate Seminar
Engineered self-assembly for ion channel protein-based molecular sensorsDr. Noah MalmstadtPostdoctoral Scholar
University of California at Los AngelesAbstract
There has been much recent interest in using channel proteins as the basis of new
chemical detection technologies, including molecular sensing and single-molecule DNA
sequencing; these proteins are also important drug targets. Ion channel measurements are
performed by incorporating proteins into lipid bilayer membranes; however, these 5 nm-thick
membranes are fragile, short-lived, and labor-intensive to fabricate. These shortcomings
greatly limit the use of ion channel proteins in engineered devices.
We have developed two novel technologies that address these shortcomings: In the
first, we have encapsulated lipid bilayer membranes within a hydrogel network. This
encapsulation process, in which a hydrogel is polymerized in situ around a self-assembled
lipid bilayer, results in membranes that are robust to mechanical perturbation and that last
over ten times longer than the previous state of the art. Hydrogel-encapsulated membranes
can support extended measurements of ion channel proteins at the single-molecule level,
and have the potential to enable long-lived ion channel sensors in portable devices. Our
second novel technology is a microfluidic system for automated membrane fabrication and
measurement. This system controls and automates the process of membrane self-assembly
through material-driven solvent extraction from a multiphase droplet flow. Ion channel
proteins can be incorporated in these membranes and measured with single-molecule
resolution. This on-demand bilayer fabrication technology can form the basis of membrane
arrays for high throughput sensing for chemical detection as well as drug discovery and
screening. These technologies provide two complementary pathways to the development of
devices in which channel proteins serve as active nanoscale sensing elements.Friday, December 1, 2006
Seminar at 11:00 a.m.
HED 116
The Scientific Community is Cordially Invited to Attend.

Location: Hedco Pertroleum and Chemical Engineering Building (HED) - 116

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Petra Pearce