Cellular neurophysiology of hippocampal neurons, modulation of ion channel activity

 

My research is directed toward understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying modulation of electrophysiological activity in neurons of the central nervous system.  The lab’s interest has been aimed at the role of different ion channels to the intrinsic properties of neurons.  My current research is focused on the properties of  sodium-dependent potassium channels (KNa) in hippocampal neurons and the role they may play in celluar activity. I primarily use electrical (single-channel patch-clamp) methods to measure activity of  KNa channels in the presence of a range of different intracellular Na+ concentrations.