most convenient and reproducible method is to use vesicle fusion on to the substrate [17,
18]. Figure 1.9 is a schematic of the bilayer preparation process. We have used this
method of vesicle preparation in our studies.
Lipid vesicle
O==O
⅜⅜≡≡≡ff
⅜ ¾≡≡⅛⅛
Mica substrate
Mica substrate
Figure 1.9: Schematic of supported lipid bilayer preparation by vesicle fusion. When
preformed lipid vesicles are exposed to a flat substrate (mica in the above case), they
rupture and form supported lipid bilayers.
Additionally, the existence of a water layer between the lower leaflet and the substrate
has been proven for such supported lipid bilayers [19, 20]. This makes them a somewhat
better approximation to a biomembrane.
10