| abstract |
Disclosed are spatially addressed arrays of discreet fluid lipid bilayers prepared by flexible patterning methods that faciliate the compartmentalization of lipid membranes and aqueous solutions disposed thereon into discreet, spatially addressable, microarray partitions, onto specific and discreet locations of a substantially planar solid support. This process can either be used either in parallel or sequentially to pattern thousands of distinct membranes on a single 'biochip', and to assay pluralities of selected analyte components contacted with the discreet lipid bilayer compartments for one or more target molecules. Also provided are biochip microarray systems and methods for their production that comprise arrays of confined aqueous compartments disposed upon such compartmentalized lipid bilayers. The aqueous compartments are independently addressable, thereby facilitating reagent delivery, reagent extraction, analytical probe and high-throughput analyte screening methods. |