BPN343: MEMS Biopolymer: Surface Electrophoresis with Functionalized Bilayer Lipid Membranes for Sample Preparation

The goal of this project is to develop a robust, reusable, and automated micro-fluidic platform for the manipulation and use of integral membrane proteins and membrane associated proteins. In particular, the goal will be to use an artificially assembled phospholipid bi-layer membrane as an armature for engineered integral membrane proteins, such as alpha-hemolysin (a virulence factor responsible for the lysis of red blood cells). This functionalized membrane will be tested as an active “filtration” element in a sample preparation system, as a stand alone sensing platform with integrated electronics, and as a tool for examining cellular processes at the occurring at or near the membrane.

Project end date: 02/03/09