Our work is directed towards understanding
the molecular and biophysical mechanisms of the function of ion
channels. Ion channels are the elementary excitable elements in
the cell membranes of nerve, muscle, and many other cells where
they produce and transduce electrical signals. Electrical
signaling is generated and modulated as different types of
channels open and close in response to neurotransmitters,
hormones, membrane potential, mechanical forces and other agents.
We are interested in the mechanisms by which these agents control
the conformational changes that open and close the ion channel
molecule. Our work is centered around biophysical analysis of the
behavior of individual channel molecules, using single-channel
and macroscopic patch clamp techniques. We use recombinate DNA
techniques to manipulate channel protein structure and determine
the functional alterations resulting from the structural
modifications.
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