Lipid bilayers at gel/gel interface for ion channel recordings

We have developed a practical method to produce durable artificial lipid bilayers using a hydrogel-hydrogel interface for ion channel measurements. Bilayers were formed by forcing a hydrogel-bead into contact with the hydrogel layer (hydrogel plate) in a lipid solution. The immediate formation of a bilayer was observed (< 1 s). This allows channel recordings to be repeated more easily and quickly as compared to conventional methods. Currents of various types of channel such as gramicidin, hemolysin and BK-channel have been recorded. Our channel property results mirrored those of other techniques and were reproducible. Hydrogel solutions containing gramicidin were extremely stable and could be used months after preparation for bilayer experiments.