| 摘要 |
The present invention provides a membrane comprising a closely packed array of self-assembling amphiphilic molecules, and is characterized in that it incorporates plurality of ion channels, and/for at least a proportion of the self-assembling molecules comprise a receptor molecule conjugated with a supporting entity. The ion channel is selected from the group consisting of peptides capable of forming helices and aggregates thereof, coronands, cryptands, podands and combinations thereof. In the amphiphilic molecules comprising a receptor molecule conjugated with a supporting entity, the receptor molecule has a receptor site and is selected from the group consisting of immunoglobulins, antibodies, antibody fragments, dyes, enzymes and lectins. The supporting entity is selected from the group consisting of a lipid head group, a hydrocarbon chain(s), a cross-linkable molecule and a membrane protein. The supporting entity is attached to the receptor molecule at an end remote from the receptor site. In preferred embodiments the ion channel is gramicidin A, and is preferably gated. Such membranes may be used in the formation of sensing devices.. |
