ST. LOUIS, March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sigma-RBI, a division of Sigma-Aldrich , a $1.4 billion Life Science and High Technology Company, has released the Sigma-RBI Ion Channels Brochure. The brochure provides an overview of the two main categories of ion channels: voltage-gated and ligand-gated. The structure, function and role in disease of over a dozen types of ion channels are covered in text, charts and graphics.
Over 600 Sigma-Aldrich products are highlighted, including antibodies and modulators for potassium, GABA, P2X, chloride, sodium, glutamate, nicotinic, calcium and water ion channels. "This brochure is an invaluable tool for anyone researching the role of ion channels in disease," said Lisa Prostak, Product Manager, Neuroscience. "The technical information is based on the most current research available, and the Sigma-Aldrich product list the most comprehensive in the ion channel area."
Ion transport across the relatively impermeable lipid bilayer of the cell membrane is accomplished via membrane proteins known as ion channels. Ion channels are gated pores that open and close in response to regulators such as chemical ligands or changes in membrane voltage gradients. Ion channels are found in the membranes of virtually all types of plant, animal and bacterial cells. They play an important role in a wide variety of biological processes such as nerve and muscle excitation, hormone secretion, learning and memory, cell proliferation, sensory transduction, the control of salt and water balance and blood pressure regulation. Defects in channel function can have profound effects on an organism, causing a variety of conditions such as muscle myotonias, infertility, kidney and liver disfunctions, deafness and heart disfunction.
For more information and to receive a free copy of the Ion Channels Brochure, visit http://sigma-aldrich.com/ionchanbrochure .
About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Our biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. We have customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use our products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 35 countries and has over 6,500 employees providing excellent service worldwide. We are committed to the success of our Customers, Employees and Shareholders through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service.
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050215/CGSIGMAALLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comSigma-RBICONTACT: Joan Suda, +1-314-286-7626, or Lisa Prostak, +1-508-651-8151,ext. 269, both of Sigma-Aldrich
Web site: http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/