Plant-Human Hybrid Protein Facilitates Calcium Channels

Korean scientists have been working on a hybrid plant-animal protein that modulates Ca2+ channels. Calcium is to the body what water is to a fish. It effectively controls countless activities in the millions of cells in the body. Excitation, contraction, even death are regulated by calcium ions. If you have a Ca2+ deficiency then you have morphological issues such as ataxia (inability to control your bodily movements) and memory loss. Scientists have combined a light-sensitive receptor and an animal protein to form OptoSTIM1, which reacts when hit with a particular wavelength of light. In sum, the light triggers or closes an ion channel. So what does all of this really mean? Diseases like Alzheimers, which is controlled by calcium regulation, may be mitigated or even cured at some point using this knowledge. Pretty cool, huh? Contact me! Let me know your thoughts! For more on this topic see the article on ScienceDaily at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150914114635.htm