The regulated movement of charged ions across cell membranes is required for countless physiological processes including neural signaling and muscle contraction as well as the function of secretory epithelia in the lung and gastrointestinal system. Failure or dysfunction of these processes, whether due to congenital or environmentally induced defects, can result in catastrophic clinical disease states. These defects can cause immeasurable pain and suffering to patients and family and utilize a large fraction of available health care dollars. Modern approaches aimed at explanation of these phenomena require researchers to utilize numerous molecular, biophysical and structural experimental techniques.

Departmental researchers have achieved particular distinction through a long history of sustained leadership in the area of ion channel and transporter structure and function and the role of membranes and ion channels in clinically relevant diseases. Two well established members of this group are Investigators of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and are internationally recognized as world class leaders for their contributions to our basic and clinical understanding of muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis. Additional areas of focus within this group include excitation-contraction coupling during regulated muscle contraction, mechanisms of sodium channel modulation, the involvement of potassium channels in the pathophysiology of uterine function, the regulation of neural network activity by neurotransmitter receptor complexes.

Other research in the department is aimed at exploring the structural and mechanistic boundary that separates active transporters from passive ion channels. Outstanding collaborative efforts have stimulated progress in the study of how voltage-gated ion channels are regulated by G protein family members. Another interactive group of Departmental laboratories is interested in the molecular and physiological characterization of mechanosensitive ion channels and their role in blood pressure regulation and sensory signaling. By providing extensive overlapping technical support and free flowing intellectual feedback, this group of Departmental researchers has achieved a remarkable level of productivity rivaled by few such groups in the world.

Structure and Function of Membranes Ion Channels and Transporters Faculty