A Methodology for Deciphering the Transmembrane Resistance Variability of Supported Lipid Bilayers

In recent years, organic biomimetic electronic devices have gained attention for their potential applications in healthcare, as they emulate the natural functions of biological components that mediate communication between external signals and internal cellular processes. These devices integrate semi-biological components such as synthetic membranes with organic electronics. For instance, Supported Lipid Bilayers (SLBs) offer a promising substrate as biomimetic membranes, by providing a stable and controlled interface for bioelectronic and biomimetic applications. However, challenges remain in SLB formation, particularly in achieving consistent transmembrane ionic resistance due to packing defects. This work reports a framework of the dielectric properties of a SLB dielectric stack, and investigates the impact of defects on the membrane resistance variations. According to the model, lipid packing non-idealities lead to the partial hydration of the inner part of the membrane and thus to transmembrane resistance variations. These findings offer new insights into the dielectric and transmembrane barrier characteristics of SLBs by introducing a quantitative assessment method that transcends qualitative experimental observations, paving the way for a systematic approach to designing controllable membranes and biointerfaces with customizable biomimetic properties.