2.2.2. Preparation of PLMs

Channel-like activities were recorded in PLMs of POPC or POPC:Ch (65:35, *w*/*w*) or DOPS:DOPE (1:2, *w*/*w*) in 1% of n-decane. Bilayers were formed across a 300-µm hole in a Teflon partition separating two Teflon chambers (volume 4000 µL) which held symmetrical 0.1 M KCl solutions, pH = 7, temperature 23 ± 1 ◦C. The aqueous solutions were used unbuffered. The salts used in the experiments were of analytical grade. The Müller-Rudin or painted technique was used to form PLMs with lipids solubilized in n-decane [45,46]. Briefly, a small volume of 0.5–1 µL of lipid solution is applied through a micropipette directly onto the hole of the Teflon set; a PLM forms in ~10 min after draining the excess solvent into the aqueous bathing solution. In all experiments performed, the conductance and capacitance of each membrane was tested by applying a voltage of ±120 mV for 15–20 min under stirring to ensure that the membrane was stable.
