Discrete fluid lipid membrane compositional array created with chrome and protein barriers

To understand various interactions with cell membranes for in-vivo studies array of different lipid compositions becomes important. Work presented here shows how to prepare different lipid compositions for two different lipids with the help of micro-contact printing and photolithography. Firstly, barriers were created on hydrophilic surface by chrome patterning and/or by protein patterning. Secondly, lipid membrane of desired fluid lipid composition containing one or more lipids in it can be printed by micro-contact printing on to the surface containing chrome or protein patterns. It results in formation of 5 nm thick lipid membrane pattern partitioned with protein or chrome patterns. Thirdly, secondary intercalation can be done by adding small unilamellar vesicles of fluid lipid composition containing one or more lipids to the earlier patterned surface. Upon backfilling with the secondary vesicles it results in formation of compositional array lipid membrane patterns upon mixing with the existing patterned bilayer due to lateral fluidity.