| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/E025048/1 |
| Title: |
The lighter touch: minimally-invasive optical modulation of Ca2+-activated K+ ion channels |
| Principal Investigator: |
McConnell, Professor G |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Centre for Biophotonics |
| Organisation: |
University of Strathclyde |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 July 2007 |
Ends: |
30 September 2010 |
Value (£): |
541,029
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Cells |
Optical Devices & Subsystems |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Voltage-gated ion channels are small pores that enable the flow of important chemical ions, such as calcium (Ca2+) and potassium (K+) in and out of cells, under the application of a small voltage. These gates play a vital role in a range of physiological processes and form a key element in the development of new drugs and delivery methods. At the moment, voltage-gated ion channel activity is controlled by thrusting an electrode into a cell excised from a human or animal in order to activate the channel and record electrical activity. This is, however, a thoroughly invasive process and it is a difficult technique to master. This proposal will investigate the use of a laser source to open voltage-gated ion channels in a minimally invasive manner. By shining the laser source - which is effectively a very high electric field - onto the cell, sufficient voltage to activate the ion channel will be provided. We will investigate Ca2+-activated K+ ion channels, but the proposed minimally-intrusive method will have potential application across a wider range of voltage-gated ion channels.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.strath.ac.uk |