High frequency interfacing to biochemical membranes, such as supported
bilayers and cell membranes, is carried out by supporting a biochemical
membrane on a support surface while allowing access to the surface of the
membrane through an opening in the support. A sharp tipped probe is
positioned adjacent to the exposed surface of the membrane. The probe may
have an inner core tip and a coaxial shield around the core tip that is
electrically insulated therefrom. Radio frequency power is supplied to
the probe to apply a localized radio frequency field to the membrane
adjacent to the probe. Transport and binding events at the membrane are
detected by changes in the field transmitted through the membrane and
received by a receiving probe, or reflected from the membrane and
received by the transmitting probe, and coupled therefrom to a detector
for detection.