Publication

Prospects of Observing Ionic Coulomb Blockade in Artificial Ion Confinements

Aleksandra Radenovic, Andrey Chernev, Sanjin Marion
2020
Journal Articles

Abstract

Nanofluidics encompasses a wide range of advanced approaches to study charge and mass transport at the nanoscale. Modern technologies allow us to develop and improve artificial nanofluidic platforms that confine ions in a way similar to single-ion channels in living cells. Therefore, nanofluidic platforms show great potential to act as a test field for theoretical models. This review aims to highlight ionic Coulomb blockade (ICB)-an effect that is proposed to be the key player of ion channel selectivity, which is based upon electrostatic exclusion limiting ion transport. Thus, in this perspective, we focus on the most promising approaches that have been reported on the subject. We consider ion confinements of various dimensionalities and highlight the most recent advancements in the field. Furthermore, we concentrate on the most critical obstacles associated with these studies and suggest possible solutions to advance the field further.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/c01a3cb8-bd38-42ed-a67f-34c79f542140

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Aleksandra Radenovic, Andrey Chernev, Sanjin Marion
2020
Journal Articles

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/c01a3cb8-bd38-42ed-a67f-34c79f542140

About this result

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Ion channel

Ion channels are pore-forming membrane proteins that allow ions to pass through the channel pore. Their functions include establishing a resting membrane potential, shaping action potentials and other electrical signals by gating the flow of ions across the cell membrane, controlling the flow of ions across secretory and epithelial cells, and regulating cell volume. Ion channels are present in the membranes of all cells. Ion channels are one of the two classes of ionophoric proteins, the other being ion transporters.

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