Cardiac and neuronal cells of the central nervous system, where these channels are prevalent, are isolated from heart and brain and are studied electrophysiologically. Transgenic models with defects in G proteins or the potassium channel are used to elucidate the functional importance of these molecules in the particular tissue and the whole organism. Molecular biological techniques are used to clone and perform structure-function studies on these potassium channels. Expression of recombinant channels in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cell lines are used routinely towards mechanistic studies. Cell isolation methods and tissue culture techniques are also routinely used.
Confocal microscopy is used to localize the channel proteins in cells and tissues.