Exploration of ion selectivity in the Epithelial Sodium Channel

Ion channels in living cells are examples of where quantum effects can play a role in biology. These proteins provide a selective conduction of ions across cellular membranes, which is crucial for cell survival. The quantum mechanisms behind how channels select and transport certain ions, whilst rejecting others, are still poorly understood. This exciting project aims to investigate these experimentally, whilst at the same time simulating the effects of transport of different ions through the epithelial sodium channel. We will iteratively test and refine a simulation of ion selectivity through the channel pore, whilst experimentally measuring the channel kinetics.