Objective
Understanding the dynamics of ligand-gated ion channels is essential for understanding synaptic processes and neuronal signal integration (neurotransmitter gated channels) and intracellular signalling (cyclic nucleotide gated channels). Here we will combine single molecule fluorescence detection, with single channel electrophysiology, to detect ligand-binding and follow subsequent channel gating simultaneously. Single-channel patch-clamp alone can only measure two experimental states and their development in time: open and closed. Still, given some assumption, such data permitted construction of detailed kinetic models. Fluorescence detection can determines whether ligands are present or not, and the kinetics of the binding process. However, the nature of the ligand (agonist or antagonist) is not directly accessible. It was suggested more than 10 years [Edelstein 1997], that combining the two approaches on the single-molecule level will gain insights into the receptor mechanism. We will combine the two approaches to directly link the two molecular functional determining events (ligand binding and channel gating) within one experiment. Recently we implemented a combination of confocal single molecule fluorescence detection with single channel patch clamp, and showed (on the example of nAChR and fluorescent epibatidine) that such experiments are technically possible and feasible [manuscript in preparation]. We identified two parameters as limiting for the achievable time resolutions: counting noise and ligand diffusion into the confocal volume. Scope of this project includes: (1) identifying and analyzing biological systems with kinetics accessible to this approach, (2) developing techniques to reduce the time limitation, in particular the use of FRET to avoid the diffusion delay and (3) propose a model to describe the intra-molecular single transduction, and discuss it in comparison to models derived from single channel patch clamp alone.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology cell signaling
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics nucleotides
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
07747 JENA
Germany
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