Formation of Self-Assembled, Air-Stable Lipid Bilayer Membranes on Solid Supports

A successful strategy for the self-assembly and stabilization of a substrate-supported, phospholipid bilayer is described. The bilayer is self-organized by fusion of fluid vesicles, composed of bis-sorbylphosphatidylcholine, on an oxide surface. The supported bilayer is then polymerized in situ to produce a cross-linked structure that is stable to surfactant solutions, organic solvents, and to transfer across the air/water interface, yet retains the resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption characteristic of a fluid phosphatidylcholine bilayer.