de Groot

A team led by Bert de Groot has now applied molecular dynamics simulations to visualize how potassium ions pass through a potassium ion channel at atomic resolution for the first time. The simulations could help to better understand how ion channels are regulated or how potential drugs act on them. more

A Göttingen research team has discovered a molecular “spring” that opens ion channels in the sensory hair cells of the ear. Their findings shed new light on our understanding of the sense of hearing and the function of ion channels. more

In Parkinson’s patients, alpha-synuclein proteins clump together to form fibrils, which presumably damage nerve cells. A research team has now shown how lipids bind to these fibrils and influence their arrangement. They also demonstrated how the drug candidate anle138b attaches to the lipidic fibrils. The findings could open up new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. more

The biophysicist at the institute receives about 1.1 million euros funding for the next three years, together with two colleagues. With the grant’s help, the researchers will investigate the physiological effects of ultrasound waves on ion channel signaling. more

Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics with the result that these drugs no longer work. Particularly problematic are pathogens which develop multi-drug resistance and are unaffected by most antibiotics. Scientists world-wide therefore search for new classes of antibiotics. Scientists from Göttingen have now presented a new promising approach to using antivitamins as a therapeutic alternative to conventional antibiotics. more