Research group Simon Bernèche

Mechanisms of electrical signaling in the nervous system

Our objective is to understand the elementary molecular mechanisms underlying electrical signaling in neurons and muscle cells.

Simulation model of an ion channel in a cell membrane.

In the excitable cells composing our nervous and motor systems, signals are transmitted in form of electrical impulses arising from the movement of ions (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) entering and exiting the cells. The flow of these ions is regulated by proteins spanning the membrane known as ion channels. Perturbation in the functioning of these proteins can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, epilepsy and many other diseases.

Structure and function of ion channels

Our objective is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms used by ion channels to control the diffusion of ions through the membrane. We particularly aim at understanding how various stimuli - a change in the internal or external environment - (modify the molecular structure of these channels to open or close their pore.

Molecular simulations

We use computer simulations relying on physics principles to describe the movement of all atoms composing an ion channel. With such calculations we can predict how the protein changes its molecular structure and how this influences the flow of ions that can be related to experimental data.

Elementary models underlying neuronal functions

The hypothesis behind our work is that a better understanding of these fundamental permeation mechanisms will provide a better insight into complex organs like the brain. The ingenuity of ion channels to integrate and transform signals is probably far from being fully recognized.