Abstract: The invention concerns lipids functionalized with a hydrophilic linker which contain a tethering group for binding to a surface. The invention also concerns self-assembled monolayers of lipids on substrates in particular on ultrasmooth gold substrates. The lipids and the lipid monolayers or bilayers containing these lipids can be used to produce biomimetic supported membrane systems. After the optional incorporation of functional molecules such as membrane-associated proteins, these systems can be used for applications such as model systems for examining biological membranes, screening methods, sensors and bioelectronic devices such as biocomputers.