The lighter touch: minimally-invasive optical modulation of Ca2+-activated K+ ion channels

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Voltage-gated ion channels are small pores that enable the flow of important chemical ions, such as calcium (Ca2+) and potassium (K+) in and out of cells, under the application of a small voltage. These gates play a vital role in a range of physiological processes and form a key element in the development of new drugs and delivery methods. At the moment, voltage-gated ion channel activity is controlled by thrusting an electrode into a cell excised from a human or animal in order to activate the channel and record electrical activity. This is, however, a thoroughly invasive process and it is a difficult technique to master. This proposal will investigate the use of a laser source to open voltage-gated ion channels in a minimally invasive manner. By shining the laser source - which is effectively a very high electric field - onto the cell, sufficient voltage to activate the ion channel will be provided. We will investigate Ca2+-activated K+ ion channels, but the proposed minimally-intrusive method will have potential application across a wider range of voltage-gated ion channels.