ANALYTE DETECTION BY COMPETITIVE INHIBITION OF ION CHANNEL GATING

摘要

The present invention relates to a membrane for use in the detection of an analyte. The membrane comprises a closely packed array of self-assembling amphiphilic molecules and a plurality of ionophores. A first and a second ligand is attached to an end of the ionophores adjacent the surface of the membrane. The membrane is characterized in that the binding of the first ligand to its binding partner prevents the flow of ions across the membrane via the ionophores. Further, the binding of the second ligand to its binding partner prevents the binding of the first ligand to its binding partner.