Creating supported plasma membrane bilayers using acoustic pressure

Abstract

Model membrane systems are essential tools for biology, enabling study of biological processes in a simplified setting to reveal the underlying physicochemical principles. As cell-derived membrane systems, giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) constitute an intermediate model between native cellular plasma and artificial membranes. Certain applications, however, require planar membrane surfaces. Here, we report a novel approach for creating supported plasma membrane bilayers (SPMBs) by bursting cell-derived GPMVs using an ultrasonic pressure field generated within an acoustofluidic device. We show that the mobility of outer leaflet molecules is preserved in SPMBs, suggesting that they are accessible on the surface of the bilayers. Such model membrane systems will be useful for many applications requiring detailed characterization of plasma membrane dynamics.