The lipid membrane as a selective chemical transducer

The bilayer lipid membrane is described as a selective electrochemically based transducer for organic species and inorganic ions. The possible mechanisms which can be employed for signal generation are summarized. Operation hinges on a selective interaction between analyte in aqueous solution and membrane embedded receptors. Complexation of these latter species results in physical perturbation of the membrane structure and/or electrostatic fields, leading to the evolution of an analytical signal based on ion current modulation through the membrane.