Characterization of the preparation process and the photochemical control of electrical properties of bilayer lipid membranes containing azobenzene chromophores

Supported Bilayer Lipid Membranes as Ion and Molecular Probes

“…Their findings are in dramatic contrast to the results of other types of artificial membranes such as L-B films and polymers, as pointed out by the authors. 32 The above referenced work is consistent with the fact that BLMs and s-BLMs represent the simplest selfassembled liquid-crystalline structure that separate two phases (liquid/liquid or liquid/solid). We have recently shown that certain electron mediators can indeed modify the electrical parameters of supported BLMs.…”

“…Electron transfer and redox reactions across biomembranes is central to vital processes such as green plant photosynthesis and mitochondrial respiration as well as in the visual process, and have been the focal point of numerous BLM studies. [13][14][15][30][31][32] For example, Yonezawa, et al 30 have reported transient photocurrents in pigmented BLMs in response to alternate illumination with visible and ultraviolet light. In an earlier report, Toda and his colleagues reported photo-switched current through BLMs containing spirobenzopyran.…”

“…In an earlier report, Toda and his colleagues reported photo-switched current through BLMs containing spirobenzopyran. 31 In this connection Yamaguchi and Nakanishi have investigated the photoresponses of azobenzene(AZ)-containing BLMs in detail 32 and found that the electrical changes induced by exposure to light of 360 and 450 nm, alternatively, resulted in reversible changes in the BLM structure initiated by the photoisomerization of AZ. Nakanishi and Yamaguchi concluded that the structural change of AZ seems to be transmitted directly and swiftly to the neighboring molecules because of the fluid and ultrathin structure of the BLM.…”

Photocontrolled nanophase segregation in a liquid-crystal solvent

“…Photocontrolled nanophase segregation should have a broad range of potential applications in nanotechnology and in the creation of novel photofunctional materials. Moreover, similar effects may play a role in the photoelectric response of bilayer lipid membranes containing azobenzene chromophores 21 .…”

A System for the Determination of Planar Lipid Bilayer Breakdown Voltage and Its Applications

“…Hanyu et al [43] presented an experimental system that allows measurement of current (function) and fluorescence emission (structural change) of an ion channel in the planar lipid bilayer while the membrane potential is controlled like functional relationships between the planar lipid bilayer and membrane interacting peptides. Rapid and reversible changes in photoresponsive planar lipid bilayer's electrical properties when irradiated with light were studied by Yamaguchi and Nakanishi [44]. Planar lipid bilayers have also been exposed to an RF field of about 900 MHz according to GSM standards, and the authors reported that temperature oscillations due to the pulsed RF fields are too small to influence planar lipid bilayer's low-frequency behavior [45].…”