Lipid-protein interactions underlying mechanosensitivity in K2P K+ channels (A03)

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2009 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 55908123

Building up on the expertise gathered in the previous funding period, the goal of the current project will be to elucidate the mechanism of mechanosensitive gating of K2P potassium channels, involved in the physiology and pathophysiology of e.g., the sensation of temperature and pain. We plan to combine computational electrophysiology simulations with applied membrane stress to induce mechanosensitive gating and to unravel the underlying mechanism. The hypotheses based on the simulations will be validated experimentally in collaboration with partners within the SFB as well as with external collaboration partners.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 803: Functionality Controlled by Organisation in and between Membranes
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Co-Applicant Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie; (Karl-Friedrich-Bonhoeffer-Institut) (aufgelöst)
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Berend de Groot