Physiological Approaches to Ion Channel Biology June 7 - 27,

[CSHL Meetings & Course Office]

Cold Spring Harbor Course
Physiological Approaches to Ion Channel Biology
June 7 - 27, 2000
Instructors:
Angeles B. Ribera, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Laurence O. Trussell, Vollum Institute
Thomas S. Otis, University of California, Los Angeles
This intensive laboratory/lecture course will introduce students to 
electrophysiological approaches for the study of ion channels in their 
native environments. Hands-on exercises will include patch clamp
recording 
of ion channel activity in acutely isolated or cultured cells or neurons
in 
brain slice preparations. Different recording configurations (e.g., 
whole-cell, nucleated-patch, perforated whole-cell, single channel) will
be 
used. The advantages and disadvantages of each method and preparation
will 
be considered in order to match experimental approaches to scientific 
questions. Similarly, various methods for ligand/drug application will
be 
demonstrated. A primary goal will be to identify properties of ion
channels 
that allow neurons and non-neuronal cells to carry out their unique 
physiological or systems-level roles. These properties will be related
to 
information previously gained from molecular cloning and heterologous 
expression of ion channel genes. Areas of particular interest include 
channels that (1) are activated by neurotransmitter at central and 
peripheral synapses, (2) interact with other channels to shape the
response 
properties of neurons, (3) respond to neuromodulators with changes in 
functional properties, or (4) are developmentally required and
regulated. 
The research interests of guest lecturers will complement and expand
this 
list. This course is intended for students with specific plans to apply 
these techniques to a defined problem, and students are encouraged to
bring 
their preparation to the course for preliminary studies.