The research presented within this dissertation explores the photocatalytic deposition of metal carried out within sealed microfluidic channels. Micro scale patterning of metals inside sealed microchannels is investigated as well as nanoscale control over the surface morphology of the nanoparticles making up the patterns. This is achieved by controlling solution conditions during deposition. Finally, the nanoparticle patterns are used in fabricating a sensor device, which demonstrates the ability to address multiple patches within a sealed channel with different surface chemistries. Also presented here is the construction of the first epifluorescence/total internal reflection macroscope. Its ability to carry out high numerical aperture imaging of large arrays of solid supported phospholipid bilayers is explored. For this, three experiments are carried out. First, imaging of a 63 element array where every other box contains a different bilayer is preformed, demonstrating the ability to address large scale arrays by hand. Next, a protein binding experiment is preformed using two different arrays of increasing ligand density on the same chip. Finally, a two-dimensional array of mixed fluorescent dyes contained within solid supported lipid bilayers is imaged illustrating the ability of the instrument to acquire fluorescent resonance energy transfer data. Additionally, the design and fabrication of an improved array chip and addressing method is presented. Using this new array chip and addressing method in conjunction with the epifluorescence/total internal reflection macroscope should provide an efficient platform for high throughput screening of important biological processes which occur at the surfaces of cell membranes.

Ionic-type transistors are important devices for precise chemical control and biosensing applications. Previous work by Tybrandt et al. has demonstrated a novel approach to constructing an ionic transistor using conducting polymers poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and quarternized- polyvinyl benzyl chloride (q-PVBC). This approach could be combined with the 3D stamp method of generating concentration gradients in supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) as shown by Liu et al. to create a charged lipid-based ionic polar junction transistor. An electric potential applied across the SLB would drive charged lipids towards the opposite electrode, thus generating current flow across the SLB. Incorporation of a charged-lipid functionalized PEDOT derivative as demonstrated by Johansson et al. would allow a longer period of current flow before charge carriers are depleted. Such a device could offer novel approaches to biosensing.

Les canaux ioniques sont des protéines membranaires permettant le transport ionique au travers des membranes biologiques. Du fait de leur omniprésence dans l'organisme, ils représentent une classe de cibles thérapeutiques encore actuellement peu exploitée du fait de limitations expérimentales dans leur étude. La mesure électrique de l'activité des canaux ioniques au sein de bicouches biomimétiques reconstituées in vitro permettrait de répondre à ces limitations. Cependant, il n'existe actuellement pas de système satisfaisant au cahier des charges complet pour de telles analyses : stabilité et pureté de la bicouche, faible niveau de bruit, insertion rapide des canaux ioniques, intégration dans un dispositif fluidique, possibilité de mener une caractérisation optique simultanée. L'objectif de ces travaux de thèse était d'évaluer dans quelle mesure l'utilisation d'un substrat SOI (Silicon On Insulator) comprenant des nanopores pourrait permettre de répondre à tous ces critères. Des nanopores de diamètre compris entre 10 nm et 160 nm ont été réalisés à partir d'un substrat SOI. Une cellule fluidique transparente est utilisée pour l'adressage fluidique. Cette cellule permet d'autre part la double caractérisation électrique et optique. Les propriétés électriques en milieu liquide du dispositif ont été étudiées et permettent de dégager des perspectives d'amélioration. La double caractérisation électrique et optique est démontrée au moyen d'expériences de capture de nanoparticules fluorescentes sur les nanopores. Enfin, des premiers résultats prometteurs d'obtention d'une bicouche lipidique suspendue sont présentés. / Ion channels are membrane proteins responsible for ion transport across biological membranes. Due to their ubiquity, they are promising drug targets but are not yet fully exploited as such due to experimental restrictions in their study. Electrical measurement of ion channels activity within in vitro artificial lipid bilayers would enable to overcome these restrictions. However, there is not yet a system satisfying all the requirements for ion channels studies: stability and purity of the lipid bilayer, low noise level, fast insertion of ion channels, fluidic integration, ability to perform simultaneous optical characterization. The aim of this phD was to assess in which extent the use of an SOI (Silicon On Insulator) substrate bearing nanopores could satisfy all these requirements. 10 nm to 160 nm diameter nanopores were fabricated in an SOI substrate and characterized. A transparent fluidic cell was used for fluidic addressing. This transparent cell allows combined electrical and optical characterization. Electrical properties of the device in aqueous environment were studied, allowing to bring out improvement prospects. The combined electrical and optical characterization was demonstrated with fluorescent nanoparticle trapping experiments on the nanopores. Finally, promising results about the formation of a free-standing lipid bilayer are presented.