SUMMER RESEARCH TRAINING IN MEMBRANE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2008 NSF REU SITE PROGRAM at the UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
The Department of Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics, UC College of Medicine is pleased to offer this research project as part of  the 200* summer NSF-REU Site Program administered by the Department of Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics.  Students interested in this project are urged to contact Professor Wang to discover more about the project, learn what your responsibilities will be during the ten-week research training program.
Project #: 08 - 022 Faculty Supervisor/Mentor: Hong-Sheng Wang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics College of Medicine Email: hong-sheng.wang@uc.edu
Simulation and Measurement of Ion Channels in Model Bio-Membranes
General background and significance of the project: Ion channels are ubiquitous pore-forming proteins of bio-membranes. Transmembrane ionic currents generated by ion channels are the basis of electrical activities of cells in so-called excitable tissues and are considered necessary and critical to the behavior of such tissues and the organisms in which they reside. Alterations of ionic currents of bio-membranes are can lead to cell malfunction and organism demise. This REU summer project focuses on the role of ion channels in regulating the membrane electrical properties of heart muscle cells used here as a bio-membrane model system.
Brief description of proposed research and activities for the 10-week REU period: Specifically, we will focus on a type of potassium channel located in this bio-membrane known as the transient outward channel, or Ito channel. We will employ a cutting-edge technique known as the real-time dynamic clamp to simulate computer-generated Ito channels in heart muscle cells. Using a combination of real-time dynamic clamp, patch-clamp and imaging techniques, we will study how simulated Ito channels, when introduced into heart cells, influence the membrane electrical properties and contractile properties under both physiological and diseased conditions.
What the REU Student can gain from participating in this project: The REU student will be exposed to and play an active role in cardiac muscle cell dissociation, recording bio-membrane electrical properties, characterizing the biophysical properties of ion channels, computer modeling of ion channels, performing real-time dynamic clamp simulations of ion channels, and measuring muscle cell mechanics. Through reading of related literature and hands-on experiences, the REU student will gain an appreciation of the importance and functions of ion channels within bio-membranes, and obtain useful information on the behavior of ion channels in a bio-membrane context. In addition, the REU student will learn the basics of experimental design, problem solving, and data analysis. Significant contributions by the REU student will be included with co-authorship in meeting presentations and peer-reviewed articles arising from this research.