New bioinspired membrane made of a biological ion channel confined into the cylindrical nanopore of a solid-state polymer

Nano Lett. 2011 Feb 9;11(2):712-6. doi: 10.1021/nl103841m. Epub 2010 Dec 21.

Abstract

A hybrid nanoporous membrane made of a solid-state polymeric thin film in which an ion channel is confined is realized. The primary and extremely encouraging results obtained by confocal fluorescence spectroscopy and ion diffusion measurement demonstrate respectively that (i) the considered ion channel, that is, Gramicidin-A, can be confined selectively inside the nanopores and (ii) the ionic permeability of the membrane is enhanced. Atomistic molecular simulations are also reported and fruitfully compared to the experimental findings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Crystallization / methods
  • Gramicidin / chemistry*
  • Ion Channels / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Porosity
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Gramicidin