On-chip alternating current electrophoresis in supported lipid bilayer membranes.

By forming lipid bilayers within SU8 patterns, between interdigitated electrodes, we have demonstrated that it is possible to manipulate charged membrane components using low applied voltages over relatively short time scales. Two distinct patterns were studied: a nested "fish trap" which served as a molecular trap, and a diffusion aided Brownian ratchet which operated as a molecular pump. By reducing the size of the structures we have demonstrated that large applied fields (>200 V/cm) can be achieved on-chip, using low applied potentials (<13 V). By using ac fields applied orthogonal to the direction of desired motion, the molecular pumps provide a voltage independent method for moving charged components within lipid membranes over large distances. The reduced scale of the trap structures compared to those previously used in our laboratory has led to over a 10-fold decrease in the operational time require for charge build-up, from 16 h down to 1.5 h. The observed benefits of scaling means that these systems should be suitable for the on-chip separation and manipulation of charged species within supported lipid membranes.