Low-cost equipment for electroformation of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

BELLON J ALEJANDRO; PINO MARCELO J; WILKE, NATALIA

HardwareX

Elsevier

Año: 2018 p. 1 - 1

2468-0672

iant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) constitute a very useful model for biomembranes. They areusually generated by electroformation using sinusoidal potential waves applied betweentwoplatinum electrodes or electrodes composed of glasses covered by indium tin oxide (ITO).Here we present the design of a programmable, compact and low cost wave generator thatallows applying different waveforms, even with initial non-periodical shapes. Thus, it allowsto optimize the potential waveform for the particular GUV? composition.We also describe the design of a low cost, reusable chamber with stainless steel electrodesthat allows using very small volumes of solution (0.3 mL). With this chamber, a larger numberof GUVs were generated in less electroformation times compared to ITO electrodes. Thegeneral characteristics of the obtained GUVs are comparable to those electroformed in platinumor ITO surfaces.The chamber, combined with the wave generator comprises a simple, reusable,programmable and low cost sy