The invention concerns lipids functionalized with a terminal C.dbd.C
double bond which can be transformed into an anchor group for binding to
a substrate surface. The invention further concerns lipids comprising
such an anchor group for binding to a substrate surface. The invention
also concerns self-assembled monolayers of lipids on substrates, in
particular on silicon oxide substrates. The lipids and the lipid
monolayers or bilayers containing these lipids can be used to produce
biomimetic supported membrane systems. These membrane systems can be
directly anchored on silicon microelectronic devices. After the optional
incorporation of functional molecules such as membrane-associated
proteins such systems can used for applications such as model systems for
examining biological membranes, screening methods, sensors and
bioelectronic devices such as biocomputers.