Biological Membranes and Biomimetic Artificial Membranes

2010 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Giorno ◽  
R. Mazzei ◽  
E. Drioli
Keyword(s):  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Artificial Membranes

Nanobiohybrids: Bioinspired Sensors

2005 ◽  
Vol 873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Chalkias ◽  
Emmanuel P. Giannelis
Keyword(s):  
Horseradish Peroxidase ◽  
Glucose Oxidase ◽  
Electronic Nose ◽  
Sodium Salt ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Artificial Membranes ◽  
Amphiphilic Molecules ◽  
Sensor Fabrication

AbstractNanohybrid artificial membranes made by intercalation of amphiphilic molecules into the galleries of a layered host, exhibit characteristics similar to biological membranes and they can be used as sensors. Different responses have been observed even for molecules that have similar features for example, saccharin and its sodium salt suggesting that the nanohybrid might be useful in developing an electronic nose. The dynamic range of the saccharin sensor is 20 - 300μM. In this paper we present our results on sensor fabrication and testing and discuss possible sensing mechanisms. In addition, we describe our work on immobilizing in the nanohybrid membranes Glucose Oxidase, Horseradish Peroxidase and Gramicidin and evaluating their performance.

Electron Diffraction of Wet Biological Membranes

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 158-159
Author(s):  
S.W. Hui ◽  
D.F. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Electron Diffraction ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Electron Diffraction Technique ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
Collection Time ◽  
Camera Length

The development of the hydration stages for electron microscopes has opened up the application of electron diffraction in the study of biological membranes. Membrane specimen can now be observed without the artifacts introduced during drying, fixation and staining. The advantages of the electron diffraction technique, such as the abilities to observe small areas and thin specimens, to image and to screen impurities, to vary the camera length, and to reduce data collection time are fully utilized. Here we report our pioneering work in this area.

Observation of Concanavalin-A receptors on hydrated planar erythrocyte membrane film by in situ electron microscopy

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 608-609
Author(s):  
Neng-Bo He ◽  
S.W. Hui
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Lipid Membranes ◽  
Surface Film ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Black Lipid Membranes ◽  
Fine Mesh ◽  
Planar Films

Monolayers and planar "black" lipid membranes have been widely used as models for studying the structure and properties of biological membranes. Because of the lack of a suitable method to prepare these membranes for electron microscopic observation, their ultrastructure is so far not well understood. A method of forming molecular bilayers over the holes of fine mesh grids was developed by Hui et al. to study hydrated and unsupported lipid bilayers by electron diffraction, and to image phase separated domains by diffraction contrast. We now adapted the method of Pattus et al. of spreading biological membranes vesicles on the air-water interfaces to reconstitute biological membranes into unsupported planar films for electron microscopic study. hemoglobin-free human erythrocyte membrane stroma was prepared by hemolysis. The membranes were spreaded at 20°C on balanced salt solution in a Langmuir trough until a surface pressure of 20 dyne/cm was reached. The surface film was repeatedly washed by passing to adjacent troughs over shallow partitions (fig. 1).

Video real-time imaging of artificial membranes during freeze-drying by cryo-electron microscopy

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 16-17
Author(s):  
Alan S. Rudolph ◽  
Ronald R. Price
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Freeze Drying ◽  
Video Capture ◽  
Drying Process ◽  
Artificial Membranes ◽  
The Past ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Spherical Structures ◽  
Capture Techniques

We have employed cryoelectron microscopy to visualize events that occur during the freeze-drying of artificial membranes by employing real time video capture techniques. Artificial membranes or liposomes which are spherical structures within internal aqueous space are stabilized by water which provides the driving force for spontaneous self-assembly of these structures. Previous assays of damage to these structures which are induced by freeze drying reveal that the two principal deleterious events that occur are 1) fusion of liposomes and 2) leakage of contents trapped within the liposome [1]. In the past the only way to access these events was to examine the liposomes following the dehydration event. This technique allows the event to be monitored in real time as the liposomes destabilize and as water is sublimed at cryo temperatures in the vacuum of the microscope. The method by which liposomes are compromised by freeze-drying are largely unknown. This technique has shown that cryo-protectants such as glycerol and carbohydrates are able to maintain liposomal structure throughout the drying process.

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