Ion Channel News and Research

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New treatments to alleviate symptoms of muscular dystrophy, depression and dementia

Scientists researching a toxin extracted from the venom of the honey bee have used this to inform the design of new treatments to alleviate the symptoms of conditions such as muscular dystrophy, depression and dementia.

12 Jul 2010

Research could lead to remote stimulation of cells to treat cancer or diabetes

Clusters of heated, magnetic nanoparticles targeted to cell membranes can remotely control ion channels, neurons and even animal behavior, according to a paper published by University at Buffalo physicists in Nature Nanotechnology.

7 Jul 2010

AGTC, Icagen complete agreement for purchase and sale of patent rights

AGTC, a privately held company, and Icagen, Inc. today announced the completion of an agreement for the purchase and sale of certain patent rights between the companies. Icagen is transferring its rights to patents relating to the ion channel gene CNGB3, which has been linked to certain disorders of the eye. Under the terms of the agreement, Icagen has assigned ownership of the patents to AGTC, which intends to use the patented technology for gene therapy as a potential treatment for Achromatopsia, a severe form of daytime blindness.

24 Jun 2010

Mutation in ion channel that changes its dynamics is implicated in epilepsy: Scientists

In 2004, Washington University in St. Lous researcher Jianmin Cui was handed a puzzling clue to the structure of an ion channel his lab had been studying for five years.

24 Jun 2010

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council awards £1.2 million to Bilayer Platform project

Scientists at the University of Southampton and Birkbeck College, University of London are developing a platform consisting of an array of artificial cell membranes that will enable more efficient testing of potential new drugs.

23 Jun 2010

Three leading scientists gather to discuss Improved Strategies for Pre-clinical Cardiac Testing

Three leading scientists in the field of cardiac safety in pre-clinical drug development are gathering to discuss Improved Strategies for Pre-clinical Cardiac Testing in a free webinar on June 23 at 11:00 a.m. EDT, sponsored by the Drug Safety Council.

22 Jun 2010

Essen BioScience, Nycomed partner to develop modulators of voltage-gated ion channels

Essen BioScience Inc. - a specialty provider of cell-based assay solutions and contract research services - and Nycomed - a privately owned global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland - are pleased to announce a joint discovery agreement to identify novel small molecule ion channel modulators as pain therapeutics.

From Sartorius 21 Jun 2010

Inspire's TIGER-1 Phase 3 clinical trial data with denufosol for CF presented at 33rd ECFS

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that data is being presented on denufosol tetrasodium, an investigational therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF), during an oral presentation and poster presentations at the 33rd Annual European Cystic Fibrosis Society (ECFS) Conference June 16 - 19, 2010 in Valencia, Spain.

18 Jun 2010

Laboratory mouse study shows cold sensing neural circuits develop well after birth

Cold sensing neural circuits in newborn mice take around two weeks to become fully active, according to a new study. The finding adds to understanding of the cold sensing protein TRPM8 (pronounced trip-em-ate), first identified in a Nature paper in 2002 by David McKemy of the University of Southern California.

18 Jun 2010

Mutations in ion channels cause rare inherited pain disorder: Research

A mutation that enhances the function of a specific ion channel has been identified as the cause of a rare inherited pain disorder. The research, published by Cell Press in the June 10 issue of the journal Neuron, proposes a potential treatment for the disorder and may lead to a better understanding of chronic pain in humans.

10 Jun 2010

Perspectives on computational methods applied to membrane proteins

There have been impressive advances in computational methods, allowing researchers to better understand biological and physiological systems at the atomic level. In its latest Perspectives in General Physiology series, the Journal of General Physiology (JGP) offers an in-depth look at several of these methods and the advantages of each as applied to membrane proteins, with special focus on ion channels.

1 Jun 2010

Scientists present data on denufosol tetrasodium for CF at ATS 2010 International Conference

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that Inspire scientists and collaborators will present data on denufosol tetrasodium, an investigational therapy for cystic fibrosis, during an oral presentation at the American Thoracic Society 2010 International Conference May 14 - 19, 2010 in New Orleans, LA.

20 May 2010

Molecular Devices' foundational planar patch-clamp patent upheld by European Patent Office

Molecular Devices today announced that European Patent Office (EPO) has upheld Molecular Devices foundational planar patch-clamp patent (EP No 1 040 349 B1). The board will issue a written decision to this effect in the near future. The ruling will be the final determination of the EPO and cannot be appealed.

19 May 2010

University of Leeds researchers identify natural defence mechanism against heart disease

A natural defence mechanism against heart disease could be switched on by steroids sold as health supplements, according to researchers at the University of Leeds.

18 May 2010

TRPV4 activity vital to prevent skin dehydration

Japanese research group led by Prof. Makoto Tominaga and Dr. Takaaki Sokabe (National Institute for Physiological Sciences: NIPS) found that TRPV4 ion channel in skin keratinocytes is important for formation and maintenance of barrier function to prevent dehydration. Their finding was reported in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

15 May 2010

MaxCyte STX Scalable Transfection System acquired by CCS Cell Culture Service

MaxCyte, Inc., the pioneer in scalable, high performance cell loading systems, is pleased to announce that CCS Cell Culture Service GmbH has acquired the MaxCyte® STX™ Scalable Transfection System to develop and optimize cells for the pharmaceutical industry.

12 May 2010

Icagen reports revenues of $1.5M, net loss of $3.2M for first-quarter 2010

Icagen, Inc. reported today its financial results and operational highlights for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. For the first quarter of 2010, the Company reported revenues of $1.5 million and a net loss of $3.2 million. As of March 31, 2010, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $14.3 million.

7 May 2010