Increased Throughput in Ion Channel Drug Development and Exploration by Automation of Electrophysiology

摘要

Ion channels constitute macromolecular communication gates that are present in the membranes of all living cells. They are crucial for practically any physiological process, either as chemical or electrical signal transducers or as transmembrane routes for the bulk transport of salts. Not surprisingly, ion channels have become important targets for the treatment of a variety of human disorders that affect cell signaling (e.g., epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias) or salt balance (e.g., diarrhea and cystic fibrosis).