Stabilization of planar lipid membranes: A stratified layer approach

Here we briefly summarize our recent efforts in stabilization of giant planar lipid membranes and provide the first promising results achieved with a new technique. A water-soluble polymer can be coupled to lipid membranes either electrostatically or via a hydrophobic linker. Such coated membranes are significantly destabilized and the rupture process is slowed down. In contrast, partitioning of hydrophobic styrene monomer into the lipid membrane and its polymerization lead to an increase in stability. A short electric field pulse under controlled conditions was applied to quantify the stability. Voltages above 1.2 V are required to induce an electrical discharge. Within less than 100 mu s these defects reseal. However, after resealing, the stability of this particular lipid membrane corresponds to that of a lipid membrane without a 2-D polymer network. We suggest the use of this technique to stabilize self-assembled lipid membrane structures.