Integration of ion channel proteins into a polymer matrix – investigation by the patch‐clamp technique

Two types of natural ion channel proteins, gramicidin A and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, were reconstituted into an artificial lipid/polymer matrix. The functionality of the proteins was fully maintained after the integration. Particular kinds of phospholipids and of polymer matrices had been chosen to set up the artificial mimic system, which itself constitutes a novel type biosensor. The functionality of the mimic system was verified by single channel patch‐clamp measurements.