The objectives are to:(1) develop an innovative technology for fabrication and in situ characterization of planar artificial membranes and(2) implement this technology with an advanced surface-selective optical illumination technique for developing an ultrasensitive immunosensor.The instrumentation includes the development of a new convection-free monolayer trough optimized for characterization of lipid/protein monolayers at an air-water interface. Supported planar bilayers can be fabricated in the same trough by utilizing a novel deposition mechanism. Bilayer deposition can be monitored by optical microscopy throughout the process. The experimental program will be directed toward gaining insight into the application of several advanced laser/optical-microscopic techniques for characterization of structure and function in lipid/protein membranes. Total internal reflection, a technique for surface illumination, will be utilized to probe the specific binding of IgG molecules to haptens in supported planar bilayers. The results of this approach will be used in developing an immunosensor. This project will provide a highly useful diagnostics technology for a variety of biomedical applications, such as studying cell-cell recognition events, direct binding assays, fabrication of biocompatible materials, affinity chromatography, and bio-specific sensors.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The successful completion of the Phase I program will lead to the development of an innovative technology for fabrication and characterization of artificial membranes of commercial interest to the pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology.National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
