Parallel Electrophysiological Characterization of Sodium Channels

Date:

2010-2014

Themes:

Healthcare in ECS, Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-chip, Bionanotechnology and Biosensors

Funding:

EPSRC

This proposal aims to exploit a novel platform for parallel on-chip electrophysiology, developed at the University of Southampton, for the functional characterization of a family of voltage-gated sodium channels, including human/bacterial chimeras, for which the expression, purification and reconstitution into liposomes is being developed at Birkbeck College. Specifically, the project will use this high-throughput platform to identify novel ligands/drugs that modulate the conductance properties of the sodium channels.

Primary investigators

• Hywel Morgan
• Maurits De Planque
• Prof. Bonnie Wallace (Birkbeck)
• Prof. Marco Tartagni (Bologna)

Secondary investigators

• Mr Sumit Kalsi
• Dr Shimul Saha
• Mr Alex Henderson (Birkbeck)
• Dr Andy Powl (Birkbeck)

Partners

• Birkbeck College, London
• University of Bologna

Associated research groups

• Nano Research Group
• Southampton Nanofabrication Centre