Membrane and Cellular Biophysics
About Membrane and Cellular Biophysics Research
This project is headed by Dr Andrew Moorhouse, Dr Trevor Lewis and E/Prof Peter Barry. Our group deals with the structure and function of ion channels that underlie the process of neurotransmission.
Research Themes
We are investigating the relationship between the molecular structure and the physiological function of neurotransmitter receptor channels and in particular those that respond to the two major inhibitory neurotransmitters, glycine and GABA. This is achieved using state-of-the-art patch-clamp techniques to directly record currents flowing through individual channels, in order to determine the channel properties. We also utilize site-directed mutagenesis to modify the molecular structure of those channels and to determine how the structure relates to the cellular and physiological function. This is supported by molecular homology models of the human glycine receptor to inform and test our hypotheses on channel function. We are involved in a range of projects - we are currently investigating:
- the signal transduction mechanism of human glycine receptor channel that links the binding of the neurotransmitter to the opening of the channel;
- the structural and biophysical mechanisms that determine how ions permeate through the receptor-channels, once opened;
- how receptor-channel modulators, such as flavonoids and alcohol, mediate their effects, and
- the development of voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels in stem cells differentiated to form neurons.
Major Researchers