Ion Channels in Biophysics and Physiology (eBook)

This book gathers relatively recent and significant topics in the field of ion channel research. Ion channels form the molecular basis for membrane excitability in cells from the cardiovascular and nervous systems. In many non-excitable cells, ion channels contribute to diverse function including secretion of signaling compounds like hormones and insulin, cell volume regulation, intracellular signaling especially Ca2+ signaling, etc. Many human diseases have been attributed to abnormal channel functions and defective membrane expression of channel proteins. On the other hand, ion channels are excellent models for studying protein biophysics, especially the allosteric regulation of protein function by miscellaneous stimuli. Therefore, researches on ion channels carry significant meaning for the understanding of basic protein biophysics and diverse physiological functions and for developing novel and effective treatment for related human diseases. This book could provide graduates and scientists in both basic and clinical levels, a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge advances and a useful and stimulating platform for tackling their own questions about ion channels.

Dr. Lei Zhou obtained his Ph.D. in Physiology in 2000 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine. From 2000 to 2008, he received his postdoctoral training at Columbia University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in New York City, and then worked as an Associate Research Scientist at the same institution. In 2008, he joined Virginia Commonwealth University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2015. In 2020, Dr. Zhou relocated to Shenzhen, Guangdong Province and worked as a Senior Principal Investigator in the Institute of Molecular Physiology at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory.

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This book gathers relatively recent and significant topics in the field of ion channel research. Ion channels form the molecular basis for membrane excitability in cells present in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. In many non-excitable cells, ion channels contribute to diverse physiological functions, including the secretion of signaling compounds like hormones and insulin, cell volume regulation, intracellular signaling, especially Ca2+ signaling, etc. Many human diseases have been attributed to abnormal channel functions and defective membrane expression of channel proteins. On the other hand, ion channels are excellent models for studying protein biophysics, especially the allosteric regulation of protein function by miscellaneous stimuli. Therefore, research on ion channels carries significant meaning for the understanding of basic protein biophysics and diverse physiological functions. Such vital information also assists in developing novel and effective treatmentsfor related human diseases. This book provides graduates and scientists in both basic and clinical levels a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge advances and a useful and stimulating platform for tackling their own questions about ion channels.