My major interest is the interaction between biochemical
signaling and electrical signaling as they influence neuronal
circuits and animal behavior. Ionic flux across cell membranes
is mediated by ion channel membrane proteins. The activity
of membrane ion channels is highly plastic; their activity
is regulated by a wide range of biochemical signaling
molecules, including protein kinases. My laboratory is
focused on unraveling the molecular mechanisms of ion
channel regulation, and the physiological consequences
of this regulation. Recently, we have begun to engineer
ion channels that exhibit novel regulatory properties.
These modified ion channels are being introduced into
transgenic animals in order to determine how systematic
changes in cellular electrical activity determine circadian
behavior, neuronal physiology, and development.
My interests in protein engineering and neurobiology
extend to studies of peptide-based biomaterials. I have
identified a unique class of biomaterials that mimics
many of the features of extracellular matrix. These materials
are being developed to serve as artificial scaffolds for
tissue engineering and transplantation.
