Abstract: System for the in vitro transcription and translation of membrane proteins comprising i) a micro-fluidic chip having at least one micro-fluidic reaction chamber and micro-fluidic channels to allow fluid to flow through the chip and into and from the at least one reaction chamber, ii) the at least one micro-fluidic reaction chamber being provided with at least one electrode base plate of conductive or semi-conductive material, and iii) lipid vesicles or a lipid membrane being bound or tethered to the at least one electrode base plate either directly or through spacer molecules.