Since the pioneering work on black lipid membranes by Paul Mueller and co-workers in the early '60s, several generations of membrane biologists have exploited this model membrane for biophysical and reconstitution studies. The planar bilayer formed by painting lipids across a small aperture in a partition is one of the simplest techniques available to the novice and expert alike, and the cup/chamber system has been used to reconstitute and record the single-channel behavior of a wide variety of ion channel proteins from diverse tissues.

Bilayer Chambers

Chambers are made from black Delrin and have a 0.5 mm recessed well milled into the floor of the non-cup side to confine the motion of stirbars and to reduce mechanical noise artifacts. A 2 x 5 mm or 2 x 7 mm Teflon-coated stirbar is supplied with each BCH-13A or BCH-22A chamber, respectively.

Polyethylene centrifuge tubes (supplied) serve as intermediate wells for electrical connections between the amplifier inputs and the cup or chamber. As shown below, chlorided silver wires connect the amplifier inputs to the wells and agar bridges connect the wells to the cup and chamber. Silver wire electrodes and agar bridges are not included.

Chambers include a nylon screw and rubber plug to secure the cups during use and a clear window for viewing the aperture during membrane formation

Models BCH-13A and BCH-22A

Two models are offered: a small volume (1.2 ml) BCH-13A with 13 mm (1/2") diameter cuvette and a larger volume (5.0 ml) BCH-22A with 22 mm (7/8") diameter cuvette. This 2-part system consists of a black Delrin chamber and a cuvette of either polystyrene, polysulfone or Delrin. 

Cups and chambers are designed such that addition of equal volumes to the cup and chamber results in a balanced solution height, minimizing any pressure gradients across the bilayer membrane.

Ordering information

BCH-13A        Bilayer Chamber with (1) CP13A, CF13A or
                     CD13A Cuvette and 2 stirbar magnets.
BCH-22A        Bilayer Chamber with (1) CP22A, CF22A or
                     CD22A Cuvette and 2 stirbar magnets.