Simulating complex ion channel kinetics with IonChannelLab

Channels (Austin). 2010 Sep-Oct;4(5):422-8. doi: 10.4161/chan.4.5.13404. Epub 2010 Sep 1.

Abstract

In silico simulation based on Markov chains is a powerful way to describe and predict the activity of many transport proteins including ion channels. However, modeling and simulation using realistic models of voltage- or ligand-gated ion channels exposed to a wide range of experimental conditions require building complex kinetic schemes and solving complicated differential equations. To circumvent these problems, we developed IonChannelLab a software tool that includes a user-friendly Graphical User Interface and a simulation library. This program supports channels with Ohmic or Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz behavior and can simulate the time-course of ionic and gating currents, single channel behavior and steady-state conditions. The program allows the simulation of experiments where voltage, ligand and ionic concentration are varied independently or simultaneously.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation*
  • Ion Channel Gating
  • Ion Channels / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Ligand-Gated Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Markov Chains
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Software*
  • User-Computer Interface

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Ligand-Gated Ion Channels