August 25, 2003 Greetings to all the Channelab supporters! This newsletter informs the users of Channelab about the updates and changes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Version 2 of Channelab (v. 2.030526) is just released! The latest version includes a profound increase in the speed of numerical integration during waveform fitting, which lets you fit kinetic models to series of experimental macroscopic currents. Channelab now boasts over 120, ready-to-use kinetic models for various ion channels, including GABA, Ach, AMPA, kainate, NMDA, P2X, 5HT, voltage-gated Na+, K+, and Ca2+, cyclic nucleotide gated, Ca2+-induced Cl channels, Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release channels. You will enjoy many powerful new features, enhancements, and improvements in this version. If you perform single channel recordings, excised patch recordings, noise analysis, or want to correlate single channel behavior to whole cell responses and synaptic responses, you must try this program. This program also allows exploration of the effect of synaptic concentration profile on synaptic current time course. This program is also ideal for teaching undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs, who are new to the field of ion channels and electrophysiology. Please visit our website at http://www.synaptosoft.com/ to try the demo. Here is the list of topics in this newsletter; 1. 10X faster waveform fitting! - Fit kinetic models to up to 15 macroscopic waveforms 2. Over 120 pre-configured single channel / macroscopic models 3. Enhanced simulation interface 4. Enhanced capabilities for building stimulus files 5. Upgrade procedure 6. Satellite symposium at Society for Neuroscience annual meeting 2003 in New Orleans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. 10X faster waveform fitting! - Fit kinetic models to up to 15 macroscopic waveforms The waveform fitting is a useful analysis tool to validate a kinetic model by fitting experimental macroscopic currents to a kinetic model. This procedure allows estimation of kinetic rate constants from macroscopic data. In Channelab v2, the waveform fitting has been added after extensive testing. The waveform-fitting algorithm utilizes the least-square fitting to find the best combination of rate constants in a kinetic model to describe experimental macroscopic waveforms. The program can fit a kinetic model to up to 15 experimental macroscopic waveforms. There is a tutorial and example files in the help section. To get familiarized with the concept and the interface, users should go through each step of the tutorial and example files. If there is any question, please feel free to contact us at clab@synaptosoft.com. 2. Over 120 pre-configured single channel / macroscopic models In addition to previous models, more models are added for voltage-gated Na+, K+, and Ca2+, cyclic nucleotide gated, and calcium-induced Cl channels, as well as ligand-gated channels. Models also have direct web links for original publications. With over 120 kinetic single channel models (more to come), any user can open a model for these receptors and simulate single channel trace, or whole cell currents on the basis of the model. These models run with a mouse click and allow better evaluation and comparison of papers discussing channel kinetics. For complete list of single channel kinetic models that Channelab support, visit our website at http://www.synaptosoft.com/Channelab/Models.html. In order to open these models in Channelab, run File->Load Published Model command. Following is the list of available models in their channel categories. · Muscle Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors · Recombinant Muscle, Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors · Neuronal GABA Receptors · Recombinant GABA Receptors · Neuronal Glycine Receptors · Recombinant Glycine Receptors · Recombinant 5-HT3A Receptors · Neuronal AMPA Receptors · Recombinant AMPA Receptors · Neuronal NMDA Receptors · Recombinant NMDA Receptors · Recombinant Kainate Receptors · Invertebrate Glutamate Receptors · P2X Purinergic Receptors · Ca2+-induced Ca2+ Release Channels Ryanodine Receptors · Ca2+ - activated Cl- Channel · Cyclic Nucleotide Gated Channels · Native Na+ Channel · Recombinant K+ Channels · Recombinant Ca2+ Channels (T-type) 3. Enhanced simulation interface The interface for simulation has been enhanced in many respects. In general, the speed for simulations has been increased greatly. In the main window of simulation interface, the conducting states are conveniently shown on screen with the conductance values. Now up to 5 connections per state are allowed for Monte Carlo simulations. Numerical integration can be performed on any model with any possible connecting pattern between 20 states. Users can solve equilibrium probabilities and relaxation time constants for complex models. Users can easily filter or add Gaussian noise during automatic simulation. For easy simulation of synaptic events, users can vary amplitude of simulations using Gaussian-distributed random number of channels. The program has been tested extensively for the compatibility with Axon and QUB file formats. The program automatically saves multiple simulations to episodic ABF files. These ABF files can be opened by all of Axon programs as well as Mini Analysis Program for further analyses. 4. Enhanced capabilities for building stimulus files The interface for building stimulus files has been improved for quick and easy generation of stimulus. Now, voltage steps can be generated automatically. The accuracy for simulations of voltage-gated channels has been improved. 5. Upgrading procedure Anyone with previous version can upgrade to the latest version by downloading the demo file from the website, and installing it over the existing version. If you currently have version 1, you can upgrade to version 2 with $100 upgrade fee per copy. The price of a full version 2 is $250. To upgrade to version 2 from version 1, users should download the full demo v2 from our website, install it on computer, and fill out the online order form. Version 2 requires a new key file to convert the demo to a full registered version. Please inquire about the upgrade procedures at our website. 6. Satellite symposium at Society for Neuroscience annual meeting 2003 in New Orleans Title: Analyzing Spontaneous Activities with Mini Analysis Program and Single Channel Kinetics with Channelab Date: Friday, November 7, 2003 Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm Location: Morial Convention Center Room: 269 Setup: 100 people Please find more information in the Program booklet. The last year's symposium was a great success with close to 100 attendees. Thanks for all of your support. This year the symposium will be divided into two parts. In the first part, starting at 2:00 pm, Justin Lee will discuss the new features of Mini Analysis Program. And in the second part starting at 4:00 pm, Steve Traynelis will present his latest research in NMDA receptor kinetic modeling using the latest features of the Channelab. The symposium will be held in a room for at least 100 people. No reservation is required. More detailed description of the event will be available right before the neuroscience meeting. If you haven't try the demo, please visit us at http://www.synaptosoft.com, download the demo, and try! *****Channelab is a product of joint effort by all of the users. If you have any suggestions, please let us know, we will incorporate your ideas.****** For more information, visit our website at http://www.synaptosoft.com. If you wish to be removed from this newsletter mailing list please mailto: clab@synaptosoft.com. Synaptosoft Inc. 3098 Anderson Place Decatur, GA 30033 tel: 770-939-4366 fax: 770-939-9478 http://www.synaptosoft.com ftp://ftp.synaptosoft.com mailto:clab@synaptosoft.com