The
channelome, sometimes called the "ion channelome", is the complete set of
ion channels and
porins expressed in a
biological tissue or organism. It is analogous to the
genome, the
metabolome (describing metabolites), the
proteome (describing general
protein expression), and the
microbiome. Characterization of the ion channelome, referred to as
channelomics, is a branch of
physiology,
biophysics,
neuroscience, and
pharmacology, with particular attention paid to
gene expression. It can be performed by a variety of techniques, including
patch clamp electrophysiology,
PCR, and
immunohistochemistry. Channelomics is being used to screen and discover new medicines.
