Solid-supported bilayer electrophoresis for separation of membrane biomolecules

Cherry Auditorium, Kirk Hall

Solid supported lipid bilayers have served well as models of the cell surface for a myriad of applications. Salient feature of these materials is the preservation of lateral mobility of the lipids comprising the bilayer and maintenance of biomolecular structure of species suspended within it. These features make supported bilayers an ideal material for applications ranging from fundamental biophysical membrane studies to biomimetic sensor devices. Recently we have extended their use as a novel material to separate membrane-bound species. Within this context, controlling the mobility of the species of interest becomes important for reducing band broadening by molecular diffusion. By tuning the membrane chemistry, one can control the dispersion of the bands. Recent results will be presented on separations of lipid isomers using this technique and future extensions to the separation of transmembrane proteins.