Academic Background

1966, S.B., S.M., E.E., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1970, Ph.D., Harvard University

Ion channel behavior and cellular physiological and biochemical processes

The aim of our research is to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in membrane electrical events and the relationship of these events to biochemical and physiological processes. Studies are carried out using mammalian and amphibian single smooth muscle cells and other cell types as well as various expression systems including Xenopus oocytes. We are using voltage-clamp techniques for measuring macroscopic membrane currents, the patch-clamp technique for measuring currents passing through single ion channels, Ca²⁺ imaging techniques for examining the temporal and spatial distribution of cellular Ca²⁺, and molecular biological techniques for studying cloned channels, identifying new channels, and determining various functional domains of channel proteins. We have been examining the voltage, chemical, mechanical, and ionic control of membrane channels; the mechanism of action of neurotransmitters, peptides, drugs and other agents; and the role of these in cellular function. Specifically, we have recently been interested in the direct effects of fatty acids, sphingosine, steroids, and other biologically active lipids on smooth muscle and neuron ion channel activity; the role of mechanically-gated ion channels in the control of stretch-induced contraction of smooth muscle; various Ca²⁺ permeable nonselective cation channels activated by caffeine, NMDA and ATP; and the relationship between ion channel gating and changes in the local concentration of cellular Ca²⁺.