Experimental and Theoretical Methods of Study of Ionic Channels
Turchenkov D.A., Bystrov V.S.
Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology RAS (IMPB RAS), Russia
BioSim Research Group, Russia
Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering & CICECO, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Abstract. This work realizes the review of major types and properties of ion channels, experimental and theoretical approaches and models of describing their function. Voltage-clamp and patch-clamp methods with their configuration are considered, special attention given to mathematical models of ion channels and application of molecular dynamics, Brownian dynamic simulation, Poisson-Nernst-Planck equation and modern combined approaches. Ab initio methods of quantum chemistry are presented by DFT. Application conditions for each of these methodologies with their advantages and disadvantages are represented.
Key words: ion channels, modeling, molecular dynamics, Langevin equation, DFT.