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Abstract-Polyelectrolyte/iron oxide nanoparticles composite nanocoatings are fabricated by polyionic assembly. They are characterized by atomic force microscopy, electron magnetic resonance, ellipsometry, and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The results obtained indicate that the number of magnetite nanoparticle lay ers in a film is related to its refractive index, thickness, and surface roughness. The electron magnetic resonance signal intensity is found to nonlinearly depend on the number of magnetic nanoparticle layers in a film.

An appropriate method to study the function of membrane channels is to insert them into free-standing lipid bilayers and to record the ion conductance across the membrane. The insulating property of a free-standing lipid bilayer versus the single-channel conductivity provides sufficient sensitivity to detect minor changes in the pathway of ions along the channel. A potential application is to use membrane channels as label-free sensors for molecules, with DNA sequencing as its most prominent application. However, the inherent instability of free-standing bilayers limits broader use as a biosensor. Here we report on a possible stabilization of free-standing lipid bilayers using polydopamine deposition from dopamine-containing solutions in the presence of an oxidant. This stabilization treatment can be initiated after protein reconstitution and is compatible with most reconstitution protocols.

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