Understanding how sodium channels work and how drugs affect them
Official title: Structural dynamics of voltage-gated ion channels and their implications for ion permeation and drug modulation
Funded at University of Missouri Kansas City · NIH-11074666 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special channels in our cells that help control sodium flow work, which is important for people with heart issues or seizures, and it hopes to find out how different medicines can change their behavior to improve treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri Kansas City NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $328,650 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM142816-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074666 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to cardiac arrhythmias or epilepsy who may benefit from new drug therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac or non-neurological conditions are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the behavior of voltage-gated sodium channels, which are crucial for conducting sodium ions in cells and are linked to various health conditions, including heart and neurological disorders. By using advanced techniques like single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET), the study aims to explore how these channels open and close, how ions pass through them, and how different drugs can influence their function. The findings could lead to better understanding and treatment options for conditions like arrhythmias and seizures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias and seizure disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized similar approaches to study ion channels, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Shizhen — University of Missouri Kansas City
- Study coordinator: Wang, Shizhen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.