Ion Channels and Diseases of Electrically Excitable Cells. (360G-Wellcome-084655_Z_08_Z)

Ion channels play essential roles in the physiology of all cells and defects in ion channel function have profound physiological and behavioural effects. Previous Wellcome Trust funding enabled the establishment of OXION, a research and training network that embraces all aspects of ion channel physiology, from atomic structure to animal behaviour and human disease. OXION involves collaborations between 25 groups primarily, but not exclusively, based at Oxford. The research programmes that u nderpin OXION are already fully funded (several by the Trust) and housed in established facilities. This application is therefore for training fellowships and studentships in multidisciplinary and in vivo physiology, and for core facilities and dedicated support staff to provide expertise and equipment that will facilitate new collaborations and research developments. The fellowships and studentships are designed to promote and develop interactions between groups involved in both basic and clini cal research, and between the life sciences and the physical sciences. This will enhance our understanding of ion channels and ultimately of how their malfunction causes human disease. OXION will provide an outstanding environment for training a new generation of investigators in state-of-the-art techniques, lead to new scientific discoveries, and facilitate the development of new diagnostic methods and novel therapies.