Kinetic and rate theory
To understand experimental properties of narrow ion channels such as fast conduction and high selectivity, we are developing kinetic theories describing the discrete transitions within the selectivity filter. This work is being developed in two main directions:
- solving a set of multi-species master equations describing the discrete states of the selectivity filter. We first derive self-consistent transition rates and use these to solve the master equations at linear response and fully non-equilibrium. The former reproduce our Coulomb blockade inspired statistical theory, via a Coulomb staircase and set of conductivity peaks. At non-equilibrium we consider the optimal transport regime within KcsA, and attempt to describe physial properties via fitting to experimental I-V and G-C data. Although we focus on KcsA it is equally applicable to other narrow open channels.
- [ADD] unifying ion channel methods by developing a complete physical theory describing permeation through the channel. We are working towards establishing the relation between the Langevin equation (BD,master equation and the differential Chapman-Kolmogorov equations.
