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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers
Published on: October 18, 2013
Principles of selective ion transport in channels and pumps
Eric Gouaux1, Roderick Mackinnon
1Vollum Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. gouauxe@ohsu.edu
Abstract:
The transport of ions across the membranes of cells and organelles is a prerequisite for many of life's processes. Transport often involves very precise selectivity for specific ions. Recently, atomic-resolution structures have been determined for channels or pumps that are selective for sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride: four of the most abundant ions in biology. From these structures we can begin to understand the principles of selective ion transport in terms of the architecture and detailed chemistry of the ion conduction pathways.
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