Michigan Technological University
Department of Physics

is pleased to announce a colloquium

with

Douglas Henderson

Computer Simulations of Calcium and Sodium Channels

Ion channels are membrane proteins that are important components of the function of a cell. Although they are best known for their role in polarizing and depolarizing the membranes of excitable cells to produce action potentials, they are also important components of the lipid membranes of all cells and organelles. For instance, calcium channels in the endoplasmic reticulum and sarcoplasmic reticulum regulate calcium release from internal stores when signaled by hormonal or electrical events at the cell membrane. The two features of these channels that are critical for their physiological functions are their mechanisms of gating and their ion selectivity. For example, calcium channels select calcium ions in preference to sodium or chloride ions even when the concentrations of these latter ions is several orders of magnitude greater than that of the calcium ions. The results of our computer simulations of calcium and sodium channels will be reported. The selectivity of these channels is determined by the amino acid side channels that line the walls of the selectivity filter of these channels.

Friday, May 16, 2003

4:00 p.m., Fisher 139

Refreshments will be served

MTU | Physics | Colloquium