G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest gene family in the human genome. Their role is to translate chemical information into cellular responses, like olfactory processing, neuronal activity modulation, and hormone actions or regulating blood pressure among many. Their cellular effectors can range from various enzymes to ion channels. Interestingly, nature has designed the GPCR as a major target for many natural compounds and the pharmaceutical industry has focused its attention on designing various agonists and antagonists to treat various illnesses. In the lab, we focus on the regulation of ion channels by GPCRs with the main focus on the regulation of potassium channels. This form of regulation comprises one of the major mechanisms in controlling slow synaptic inhibition in the brain, a process when compromised leads to seizures ataxia, and many other neuronal abnormalities.
The lab's interests span from a molecular understanding of channel regulating mechanisms at the single molecule level to animal behavior using various electrophysiological, molecular, imaging, and computational tools.
We seek highly motivated students to join us in this very exciting scientific journey.
