Details

Start of project: 15.05.2019

Finishing date: 12.05.2023

Title of the project: Gating and conduction regulation of inward rectifier K⁺ channels

Research topic of the student:   Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels play important roles in control of cellular excitability and K⁺ ion homeostasis. Under physiological conditions, Kir channels allow large K⁺ influx at potentials negative to the equilibrium potential of K⁺ but permit little outward current at potentials positive to the equilibrium potential of K⁺, due to voltage-dependent block of outward K⁺ flux by endogenous, cytoplasmic polyamines. They block K⁺ ion movement through the channel at depolarized potentials, thereby ensuring, for instance, the long plateau phase of the cardiac action potential. Pathophysiological reduction of inward rectification in the channel, for example, increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death.

To gain an insight into how members of the Kir channel family are regulated, I will use Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation to study Kir channel interactions with endogenous polyamines, and drugs. 

Internship abroad: "Gating and conduction regulation of inward rectifier K+ channel", 29.08.2021 - 17.03.2022

Host lab: Dept. of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; USA

Lab Rotation: familiarizing with the GROMOS implementation of constant pH MD simulations, setting up + testing a simulation system based on my current research project (cKir2.2 G178D sub-conductance levels); 05.-16.12.2022

Lab Host: Chris Oostenbrink, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna

Place after Graduation: Clinical Assessor at AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety

Michael Jirout-Bründl has been elected as Student Representative from 03/2022 to 02/2023.

Link to Publications by Michael Jirout-Bründl