Using toxins to manipulate the gating of voltage-gated sodium channels

该项目旨在研究钠通道亚型如何通过利用毒液衍生的多肽来影响感觉神经元的兴奋性，这些多肽专门针对并改变这些通道的功能。该项目希望利用包括合成肽化学、药理学和电生理学在内的跨学科方法，在神经科学领域产生新的知识。该项目的预期成果包括开发新的基于毒液的研究工具和改进的钠通道功能研究技术。这将带来巨大的好处，包括生理学基础知识的进步和新型止痛药的开发。

The project aims to investigate how sodium channel subtypes contribute to the excitability of sensory neurons by utilising venom-derived peptides that specifically target and alter the function of these channels. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of neuroscience using an interdisciplinary approach including synthetic peptide chemistry, pharmacology and electrophysiology. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of new venom-based research tools and improved techniques for studying sodium channel function. This will provide significant benefits, including advancement of fundamental knowledge in physiology and the development of novel analgesics.