Rhodopsin reconstituted into a planar-supported lipid bilayer retains photoactivity after cross-linking polymerization of lipid monomers

Bovine rhodopsin photoactivity can be maintained in highly cross-linked poly-planar-supported lipid bilayers. Ultraviolet irradiation of 1,2-bis[10-(2',4'-hexadienoyloxy)decanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine lipids produces an elastomeric bilayer composed of cross-linked oligomers, with a number-average degree of polymerization of 3-10(super 9).