- Neuronal Signaling at a Molecular and Cellular LevelHow brain cells communicate with each other during normal circumstances, during memory processes and how the processes go wrong in diseaseNeuronal Signaling at a Molecular and Cellular LevelHow brain cells communicate with each other during normal circumstances, during memory processes and how the processes go wrong in disease
Examining changes in cellular and synaptic excitability in the hippocampus associated with epilepsy.Examining changes in cellular and synaptic excitability in the hippocampus associated with epilepsy.
Studying bimodal and beta-arrestin-mediated signaling by metabotropic glutamate receptors in synaptic plasticity and intrinsic activity.Studying bimodal and beta-arrestin-mediated signaling by metabotropic glutamate receptors in synaptic plasticity and intrinsic activity.
What We Do
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.
News
Brynna Webb joined the lab as a NUIN PhD student - welcome to the lab, Brynna! (December 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. (August 1, 2020)
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! (November 2019)
Congratulations to Kendall, who successfully defended her graduate thesis! (June 12, 2019)
Geoff accepted the position of Director of the NUIN graduate program. (May 1, 2019)
Sakiko Taniguchi joined the lab as a postdoctoral researcher. (May 2019)
Recent Publications
Orai1 Channels Are Essential for Amplification of Glutamate-Evoked Ca 2+ Signals in Dendritic Spines to Regulate Working and Associative Memory
Maneshi MM, Toth AB, Ishii T, Hori K, Tsujikawa S, Shum AK, Shrestha N, Yamashita M, Miller RJ, Radulovic J, Swanson GT, Prakriya M.
Cell Reports. (December 2020)
Auxiliary proteins are the predominant determinants of differential efficacy of clinical candidates acting as AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulators
Ishii T, Stolz JR, Swanson GT.
Phosphorylation of the HCN channel auxiliary subunit TRIP8b is altered in an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy and modulates channel function
Foote KM, Lyman KA, Han Y, Michailidis IE, Heuermann RJ, Mandikian D, Trimmer JS, Swanson GT, Chetkovich DM.
Journal of Biological Chemistry. (October 2019)
