We report on a simple method to generate bilayer membranes on a smooth layer of crystalline bacterial cell surface (S-layer) protein lattices, deposited on a microfiltration membrane (MFM), the so-called S-layer ultrafiltration membrane (SUM). Folded bilayers, MFM-, and SUM-supported lipid membranes showed a specific capacitance of 0.6-0.7 μF/cm2. The S-layer produced a stabilizing effect on the lipid membrane; folded and MFM-supported membranes ruptured at the application of a first and a second voltage ramp, respectively, whereas the SUM-supported membranes could withstand multiple voltage ramps. The lifetime of the lipid membranes increased significantly in the order MFM-supported membrane
