Formation of lipid bilayers on a new amphiphilic polymer support

In this paper we present a way to build up tether supported lipid bilayers. First we synthesized novel amphiphilic polymers with an adjustable hydroph ilicity. This was achieved by introducing ionic groups together with disulf ide and lipid anchor groups in polyacrylamides or N,N-dimethylacrylamides. The self-assembly of these polymers on a gold surface was monitored by surf ace plasmon spectroscopy and was characterized by contact angle measurement s and swelling experiments. The contact angle decreased linearly with the p ercent of ionic groups in the polymer, resulting in a more hydrophilic surf ace. Swelling experiments demonstrated the greater hydrophilicity of the ch arged polymers. To build up tether supported lipid bilayers, we fused phosp holipid vesicles onto the prepared thin polymer films. The charged polymers initiated a vesicle fusion on the thin polymer films and resulted in a sup ported lipid bilayer.