The electrical activity of nerve cells underlies brain function. This electrical activity arises when ions (e.g. calcium) surge into or out of nerve cells through ion channels - specialized proteins embedded in the cell’s membrane. There are hundreds of different ion channels that control the different brain functions such as vision, hearing, memory formation, neurotransmitter release, muscle contraction etc. Not surprisingly, many neurological, cardiac and muscle disease are caused by mutations in ion channels. One of our main interests, is investigating how mutations alter ion channel function: Does the mutant channel not open? Does it open faster than normally? Is it not desensitizing as it should? Can the difference between normal and mutant channels explain human disease? Pursuing these questions not only helps us understand human disease, but may also point to cures. Indeed, 20% of all drugs target ion channels. Thus, another area of interest in my laboratory is neuropharmacology. Do drugs aimed at calcium channels also target, for example, potassium channels? Could this be the cause of their side-effects? Does the extract from a poisonous (or medicinal) plant target an ion channel? To tackle these questions, we study the behavior of different ion channels while applying drugs, plant extracts or other chemicals. The tools we use in our studies include: our brain, extensive literature searches, some bioinformatics, cutting edge molecular biology tools, pharmacology and, most importantly, electrophysiology. Using these tools, we hope to better understand the function and impact of ion channels in health and disease.
