Microcontact printing of lipophilic self-assembled monolayers for the attachment of biomimetic lipid bilayers to surfaces

This paper presents a novel method for supporting planar lipid bilayers usi ng microcontact printed lipophilic self-assembled monolayers, in such a way as to retain their capacity to support biological functionality. Impedance spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, and atomic force microscopy are u sed to monitor the formation and investigate the properties of the supporte d bilayers, In addition, we show that the antibiotic peptide gramicidin and the ionophore valinomycin exhibit the expected ion selectivity. Finally, s canning force microscopy measurements show surface friction changes followi ng bilayer formation. Chemically modified rips were used to obtain informat ion about both the energy of the surface (hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature) a nd the mechanical properties of the surface.