Cel The active propagation of electrochemical signals is widespread in biological organisms because of the need for efficient, rapid communication. Open questions about signaling remain because experiments with actual neurons are constrained by the neuron’s complex structure and intricate feedback. The goal of this project is to develop a minimal model of the neuron in which the active propagation of electrochemical signals can be readily studied. A Giant Unilamellar Vesicle (GUV) containing voltage-gated potassium channels will serve as the “soma” for this synthetic neuron. A long, membrane tube will be drawn out from this GUV to form an “axon”, and signal propagation along it studied with electrophysiology and fluorescence techniques. Predictions about the fundamental limits of biological signaling will be tested by measuring the speed and fidelity of the action potential as parameters including the diameter of the membrane tube, resting membrane potential and density of ion channels are varied. As intermediate goals, we will determine if membrane curvature induces protein sorting, and will also study how the shape and fluctuations of the GUV membrane are coupled to the activity of the ion channels. This project will contribute significantly to our understanding of active membranes and action potential dynamics. In the future, the skills and techniques learnt during the project may be applied to other complex processes such as signaling in networks, pacemaker activity and signal amplification cascades. Dziedzina nauki natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistrynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkali metalsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids Słowa kluczowe Action Potential Active Membranes Biophysics Membrane biophysics Model Systems Neurobiology Program(-y) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Temat(-y) PEOPLE-2007-4-2.IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Zaproszenie do składania wniosków FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-2-IIF Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Koordynator INSTITUT CURIE Wkład UE € 164 777,73 Adres RUE D ULM 26 75231 Paris Francja Zobacz na mapie Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Rodzaj działalności Research Organisations Kontakt administracyjny Corinne Cumin (Ms.) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych