Integrated model membrane for biophysical studies and biomedical applications

The biological membrane is a dynamic supramolecular architecture that plays vital roles in the cell. However, understanding the physicochemical properties and functions of the membrane supramolecular system is difficult. We have developed an integrated model system of the biological membrane comprising patterned polymeric and natural lipid bilayers. The polymeric bilayer acts as a framework to support embedded natural membranes. The embedded natural membranes retain important characteristics of the biological membrane such as fluidity, and reproduces the physical states and functions of the biological membrane. Membrane proteins can be reconstituted into the model membrane for analyzing their functions in a controlled lipid membrane environment. Three-dimensional structures can be constructed by attaching micro-/nano-fabricated structures to the polymeric bilayer framework. The integrated model membrane realizes a versatile platform to study membrane functions, and should open new opportunities in fundamental biological sciences as well as biomedical/analytical applications.