Electrode‐supported and free‐standing bilayer lipid membranes: Formation and uses in molecular electrochemistry

Abstract

This short review is aimed at emphasizing the recent most prominent advances in the electrochemical investigation of the interactions of molecules with purely lipid bilayers. The first part which deals with electrode‐supported bilayer lipid membranes is articulated around the nature of electrode material with a focus on mercury to celebrate this special issue entitled “100 years from polarography to contemporary electrochemistry”. The second part is devoted to suspended or free‐standing bilayer lipid membranes that are robust models to investigate the passive transport of molecules. It is notably shown that molecular electrochemistry methods such as cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, amperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, or electrochemiluminescence are well‐adapted for the investigation of molecules/lipids interactions or the passive transport of molecules. These various techniques bring meaningful information notably on molecule/lipid interactions and transport modes across phospholipids.

Dynamic Electrochemiluminescence Imaging of Single Giant Liposome Opening at Polarized Electrodes

“…The electrochemical detection of single liposome collisions upon recording the Faradaic current associated with the electron transfer between an electrode and an encapsulated redox species recently proved to allow quantitative representation of the dynamics of the vesicular release . Because electron transfers may not occur across a lipid bilayer, the electroanalytical monitoring of the liposome redox active content after collision and membrane opening at the electrode surface provides accurate information on its rupture/opening mechanisms. , Cheng and Compton successfully developed this approach for the real-time quantification of vitamin C content at the single liposome level . Similarly, Ewing and co-workers detected the catecholamine release from single-cell liposomes .…”

“…20 Because electron transfers may not occur across a lipid bilayer, the electroanalytical monitoring of the liposome redox active content after collision and membrane opening at the electrode surface provides accurate information on its rupture/opening mechanisms. 21,22 Cheng and Compton successfully developed this approach for the real-time quantification of vitamin C content at the single liposome level. 20 Similarly, Ewing and coworkers detected the catecholamine release from single-cell liposomes.…”