Exploring the activation mechanisms of pentameric ligand gated ion channels (pLGICs) by atomistic simulations and single channel methods

plgic是重要的神经受体，嵌入神经元膜中，介导快速突触通讯。它们与许多神经系统疾病有关，是药物的靶点。然而，由于它们的复杂性和有限的结构信息，它们如何在分子水平上起作用仍远未完全了解。在这个博士项目中，我们将专注于一个特定的pLGIC，甘氨酸受体，目的是了解甘氨酸的结合如何激活受体并打开其通道。我们将通过创新计算技术和单通道实验的独特结合来实现这一目标。

pLGICs are important neuroreceptors, embedded in neuronal membranes where they mediate fast synaptic communication. They are involved in many neurological disorders and are targets sites for drugs. However, due to their complexity and the limited structural information available, how they function at the molecular level is still far from being fully understood. In this PhD project we will focus on a specific pLGIC, the glycine receptor, with the goal to understand how the binding of glycine activates the receptor and opens its channel. We will achieve this by a unique combination of innovative computational techniques and single channel experiments.