Subnanometer actuation of a tethered lipid bilayer monitored with fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Lipid membrane nanotechnology can play a key role in preserving the function of transmembrane proteins on biofunctional substrates. We show here that rational nanoscopic actuation of a polymer-tethered lipid bilayer can be achieved by modulating the dielectric environment at the membrane-substrate interface.

This provides a hydrated platform with increased lipid mobility compared to bilayers supported directly onto silica. We suggest that this construct may be used for promoting the functional reconstitution of transmembrane proteins on planar surfaces for bioanalytical devices.