Functional and structural characterization of small molecule interactions with ion channels

• Antragsteller: Dr. Stefan Becker, seit 8/2008; Professor Dr. Olaf Pongs
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Analytische Chemie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2007 bis 2012
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 49947431

Goal of this research project is to rationally design small molecules that interact with ion channels and investigate their mechanism of action in detail. For this purpose, a variety of biophysical methods including electrophysiology and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy shall be combined to study the action of synthetically designed channel ligands at a structural and functional level. Structural analysis will be based on multidimensional ssNMR experiments with potassium channel - small molecule complexes in a lipid bilayer environment. The spectroscopic results will be complemented with both biochemical binding experiments and electrophysiological recordings including mammalian voltage-gated potassium channels of therapeutic interest. Combination of these experiments with synthetic organic chemistry will enable the design of novel pharmacological compounds relevant for the treatment of a variety of human diseases and should lead to novel molecular tools for modulating electrical properties of neurons.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen
• Internationaler Bezug: USA
• Beteiligte Person: Professor Dr. Dirk Trauner
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Marc Baldus, bis 7/2008