Ions, membrane and channels: Multiscale simulations from quantum to coarse-grain

A symposium in honor of Mike Klein

Ion channels are proteins located in the cell membrane forming a passageway that extends along the otherwise impermeable lipid bilayer. They have the ability to open and close in response to chemical or physical stimuli, and they are selective to particular ions. Therefore, ion channels play a central role in the regulation of many physiological processes, and thus are major drug targets. With remarkable progress in the experimental determination of structures at atomic resolution together with the relentless development of computational algorithms, the increasing speed and availability of supercomputers and new hardware technologies, it is now possible to investigate a substantial number of biological phenomenon where ion channels are involved using computer simulation. To advance in this area, a critical review of the computational techniques traditionally employed is crucial and this is one of the goals of these CECAM meeting, as well as identifying perspective ones by borrowing ideas from other fields.

More information on the conference website.