Synthetic pores mimic activity of cellular ion channels

The pores mimic the activity of cellular ion channels, which are vital to health as they restrict materials allowed to enter cells.

According to a statement, the pores built by the scientists are permeable to potassium ions and water, but not to other ions such as sodium and lithium ions.

This kind of selectivity, while prominent in nature, is unprecedented for a synthetic structure, said University at Buffalo chemistry professor Bing Gong, PhD, who led the study.

The project’s success is said to lay the foundation for an array of new technologies. In the future, scientists could use the pores to purify water, kill tumours, or otherwise treat disease by regulating the substances inside of cells.

‘The idea for this research originated from the biological world, from our hope to mimic biological structures, and we were thrilled by the results,’ Gong said. ‘We have created the first quantitatively confirmed synthetic water channel. Few synthetic pores are so highly selective.’