Laboratory
of Jeanne M. Nerbonne, PhD
Research Interests
Ongoing research in this laboratory is focused on delineating the mechanisms involved in the regulation and modulation of voltage-gated ion channels in cardiac myocytes and cortical neurons. In the myocardium, our interest is in the Ca++- independent depolarization-activated K+ channels that determine the heights and the durations of cardiac action potentials. In addition to examining the electrophysiological properties of these channels, we are exploring the molecular basis of the functional diversity of K+ channels found in cardiac cells and the molecualr mechanisms controlling the regulation of functional K+ channel expression in the normal as well as the diseased heart. In addition, we are exploiting dominant negative and targeted deletion strategies to effect the functional knockout of K+ channels in the mouse heart and examining the physiological and pathophysiological consequences of these maniplations.
In the central nervous system, our efforts are focused on defining how differences in the types and densities of the voltage-gated K+ channels expressed in cortical neurons contribute to the generation of distinct electrophysiological phenotypes. In addition, ongoing studies are aimed at defining the molecular basis of functional K+ channel diversity in cortical neurons and on delineating the molecular mechanisims controling the porperties, the expression , thr trafficking and the distribution of the channels in vitro and in vivo.
Research Interests
Ongoing research in this laboratory is focused on delineating the mechanisms involved in the regulation and modulation of voltage-gated ion channels in cardiac myocytes and cortical neurons. In the myocardium, our interest is in the Ca++- independent depolarization-activated K+ channels that determine the heights and the durations of cardiac action potentials. In addition to examining the electrophysiological properties of these channels, we are exploring the molecular basis of the functional diversity of K+ channels found in cardiac cells and the molecualr mechanisms controlling the regulation of functional K+ channel expression in the normal as well as the diseased heart. In addition, we are exploiting dominant negative and targeted deletion strategies to effect the functional knockout of K+ channels in the mouse heart and examining the physiological and pathophysiological consequences of these maniplations.
In the central nervous system, our efforts are focused on defining how differences in the types and densities of the voltage-gated K+ channels expressed in cortical neurons contribute to the generation of distinct electrophysiological phenotypes. In addition, ongoing studies are aimed at defining the molecular basis of functional K+ channel diversity in cortical neurons and on delineating the molecular mechanisims controling the porperties, the expression , thr trafficking and the distribution of the channels in vitro and in vivo.
