Correlated Optical and Electrical Single-Molecule Measurements Reveal Conformational Diffusion from Ligand Binding to Channel Gating in the Nicotinic

This communication looks at the kinetics of gate and channel opening with the use of fluorophores. By irradiating the fluorophore with light focused on the cell surface, electrical responses can be obeserved. Analyzing these responses showed that the ligand binds to the channel receptor, explores multiple confomational energy states, then proceeds through a quick gating event. I found the article interesting because of the experimental set up, which focused light on the cell surface where fluorophores were added and subsequent electrical responses were recorded.