Ion Channels

Idea: In this experiment we observe the opening and closing of single ion channels

Biophysics Lab Course, Institute of Biophysics, Ulm University

Overview

Black lipid membranes are prepared, characterized and doped with gramicidin A.

Cation channels are formed by dimers of gramicidin A in the membrane.

Single-channel current as well as the average lifetime of the ion channels are characterized at low gramicidin concentration.

At higher gramicidin doping, channel properties are determined from fluctuating currents by autocorrelation analysis.