Permeation through Nanochannels: A Novel System for the Characterization of Biological Channels

Nanotechnology is expected to be one of the future key technologies. One approach to realize nano-objects is by self-assembly and involves an understanding of interaction on a molecular level. Numerous examples are found in nature as self-organization on a nanometer scale is a fundamental building principle of life. Here we discuss recent advances for characterization of natural nano channels using a microfluidic setup for high- throughput and parallelized processing, making biological channels accessible for true engineering applications. As an example we focus on the permeation of antibiotics through specific channels, a current problem in drug- screening technology. For that we miniaturize a classical artificial bilayer set-up, automating the formation of planar membranes to host channels and combining this with microfluidics.