My lab is interested in how ligand-gated ion channel work. We focus on the GABAA and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These receptors are mostly located in the postsynaptic cell membrane where they respond to presynaptically released transmitter molecules with a conformational change which results in the flow of ions through the cell membrane. We have been studying the mechanisms by which agonists and antagonists interact with the ligand-gated ion channels, and how these events lead to conformational changes. We are also interested in drug interactions, i.e., how the receptors behave in the presence of clinically used anesthetics and anxiolytics.

Most of the work is carried out on recombinant receptors transiently or stably expressed in a heterologous expression system, such as human embryonic kidney cells or Xenopus oocytes. We utilize an array of electrophysiological approaches: cell-attached and excised single-channel patch clamp, whole-cell and outside-out macroscopic recordings, and two-electrode voltage clamp.

• Lab Website