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Investigating kainate receptor function.

The Geoffrey Swanson Lab

We study the molecular and physiological properties of receptor proteins that underlie excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain. Current research focuses primarily on understanding the roles of kainate receptors, a family of glutamate receptors whose diverse physiological functions include modulation of neurotransmission and induction of synaptic plasticity. We are also interested in exploring how kainate receptors might contribute to pathological processes such as epilepsy and pain. The laboratory investigates kainate receptor function using a diverse group of techniques that include patch-clamp electrophysiology, selective pharmacological compounds, molecular and cellular techniques, and gene-targeted mice.

Our Research

Read about our areas of research and browse our lab's recently published work.

Explore our research  View our publications

Updates from the Lab

New NIH Funding

Aug. 1, 2020: The lab received NIH funding to support a collaborative project with the Horbinski laboratory in the Department of Pathology. This program seeks to understand and find new treatments for seizures experienced by patients with a particular type of glioma that contains a mutation in the IDH enzyme.

Welcome, Brynna

December 2020: Brynna Webb joined the lab as a NUIN PhD student. Welcome to the lab, Brynna!

Congratulations!

November 2019: Kristine Watral defended her master's thesis and accepted a position as a technician in Catherine Woolley's lab. Congratulations, Kristine - we'll miss you!

Meet our team, connect with us and explore available positions.