title: An automated method for generating analogic signals that embody the Markov kinetics of model ionic channels.
abstract: In this work we present an automated method for generating electrical signals which reflect the kinetics of ionic channels that have custom-tailored intermediate sub-states and intermediate reaction constants. The concept of our virtual single-channel waveform generator makes use of two software platforms, one for the numerical generation of single channel traces stemming from a pre-defined model and another for the digital-to-analog conversion of such numerical generated single channel traces. This technique of continuous generation and recording of the activity of a model ionic channel provides an efficient protocol to teach neophytes in the field of single-channel electrophysiology about its major phenomenological facets. Random analogic signals generated by using our technique can be successfully employed in a number of applications, such us: assisted learning of the single-molecule kinetic investigation via electrical recordings, impedance spectroscopy, the evaluation of linear frequency response of neurons and the study of stochastic resonance of ion channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Alexandru I. Cuza University, Iasi, Romania. luchian@uaic.ro
authors.forename: Tudor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luchian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008390:Markov Chains; D008954:Models, Biological; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels