The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated
with prior art arrays by providing an array comprising a plurality of
biological membrane microspots associated with a surface of a substrate
that can be produced, used and stored, not in an aqueous environment, but
in an environment exposed to air under ambient or controlled humidities.
Preferably, the biological membrane microspots comprise a membrane bound
protein. Most preferably, the membrane bound protein is a G-protein
coupled receptor, an ion channel, a receptor serine/threonine kinase or a
receptor tyrosine kinase.