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. 2003 Dec;29(4):429-46.
doi: 10.1023/A:1027309113522.

Physics of ion channels

Serdar Kuyucak  1 , Turgut Bastug
Affiliations

Physics of ion channels

Serdar Kuyucak et al. J Biol Phys. 2003 Dec.

Abstract

We review the basic physics involved in transport of ions across membrane channels in cells. Electrochemical forces that control the diffusion of ions are discussed both from microscopic and macroscopic perspectives. A case is made for use of Brownian dynamics as the minimal phenomenological model that provides a bridge between experiments and more fundamental theoretical approaches. Application of Brownian and molecular dynamics methods to channels with known molecular structures is discussed.

Keywords: Brownian dynamics; continuum theories; ion channels; molecular dynamics; permeation models.

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