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Institute for Applied Physiology
Institution
Section overview
Description
Our department deals with ion channels, i.e. integral proteins in the outer and inner membranes of excitable and non-excitable cells. Their essential property is a membrane-spanning pore that acts as a conducting pathway for the flow of ions between the intra- and extracellular spaces. As a special feature, ion channels are opened and closed by gates. Channel opening (activation) may be effected by ligands, transmitters, a force directly acting on the channel or changes of the transmembrane voltage. The ensuing closure (inactivation) is usually an intrinsic process. Special voltage-sensing transmembrane segments of the protein control the gates in those channels that are responsible for the generation of excitatory and inhibitory subsynaptic potentials and the action potentials. They provide the basis for the regulation of excitability in the central and peripheral nervous system and the skeletal muscle and regulate via the membrane potential the secretion of hormones and enzymes.
We study various aspects of ion channels ('Channelomics'), e.g. their coding genes, splicing of the RNA and particularly the function of the channel proteins. Channel function can be best characterized by use of the patch clamp technique, even at the single channel level.
Activities
- Research
Parent institution
Involved in research projects
Contact
Institute for Applied Physiology
Albert-Einstein-Allee 11
89081 Ulm
Baden-Württemberg
Germany
Phone: 0731-500-23250
Fax: 0731-500-23260
Email: frank.lehmann-horn(@)uni-ulm.de
