The rhythm of the normal heart beat is controlled by electrical signals mediated by the flow of ions. The movement of ions across heart cell membranes is predominantly mediated by ion channel proteins. One of these proteins, called HERG, has some very unusual properties that make it well suited for suppressing abnormal heart beats. We propose to undertake a detailed investigation of the mechanisms by which HERG channels open and close. The results will provided a greater understanding of how HER ....The rhythm of the normal heart beat is controlled by electrical signals mediated by the flow of ions. The movement of ions across heart cell membranes is predominantly mediated by ion channel proteins. One of these proteins, called HERG, has some very unusual properties that make it well suited for suppressing abnormal heart beats. We propose to undertake a detailed investigation of the mechanisms by which HERG channels open and close. The results will provided a greater understanding of how HERG channels work and how altered function of HERG channels in patients with heart disease leads to an increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms and sudden cardiac death.Read moreRead less
Developing an Essential Research Platform for the Molecular Engineering of Photosystem II. Sunlight reaching the earth is used by plants and algae to drive photosynthesis and to store chemical energy. Possibly the most fundamental contribution photosynthesis makes to earth is to generate gaseous oxygen, the result of solar driven water-splitting chemistry. However, the mechanism behind water-splitting is not exactly known. In this proposal we will construct a new model cyanobacteria host to stu ....Developing an Essential Research Platform for the Molecular Engineering of Photosystem II. Sunlight reaching the earth is used by plants and algae to drive photosynthesis and to store chemical energy. Possibly the most fundamental contribution photosynthesis makes to earth is to generate gaseous oxygen, the result of solar driven water-splitting chemistry. However, the mechanism behind water-splitting is not exactly known. In this proposal we will construct a new model cyanobacteria host to study water splitting. The host organism will be genetically modified to enable mechanistic questions of water oxidation to be tested and will provide new and pure forms of isolated protein. This model organism will provide team of international researchers with a remarkable tool new to study photosynthesis.Read moreRead less