| Abstract [eng] |
This study aimed to develop and characterize a cost-effective, optically transparent tethered bilayer lipid membrane (tBLM) sensor using fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates and simplified self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). While traditional gold-based platforms offer high sensitivity for pore-forming toxins, their opacity and high fabrication costs limit their application in combined electrochemical and optical sensing. To address this, an FTO-based platform was developed using an ATS-only anchoring layer. Contact angle measurements and membrane formation assays demonstrated that this single-component ATS monolayer provides a highly stable, reproducible, and economically advantageous architecture, performing comparably to more complex mixed-monolayer systems. The developed FTO/ATS-only platform successfully achieved passive toxin detection with sensitivities comparable to gold-based sensors. Furthermore, the versatility of the platform was demonstrated through the successful incorporation of bacteriorhodopsin variant 1 (BV1). Electrochemical investigations revealed a dose-dependent, progressive decrease in membrane capacitance upon light exposure, confirming that BV1 maintains its photochemical activity and induces membrane poration within the tethered bilayer environment. Finally, the study investigated the potential for sensor reusability through post-measurement membrane regeneration. Although a viable methodology for regenerating the membranes after washing was not achieved, the overall findings validate the ATS-only FTO platform as a robust, low-cost, and transparent foundation. It not only streamlines biosensor fabrication for passive toxin detection but also successfully supports functional investigations of photoactive proteins, establishing a strong baseline for future optimization and regeneration studies. |
