Our laboratory is involved in a wide range of research projects exploring the structure, function, and regulation of different ion channels, particularly those which are involved in neurological disorders and heart attacks.

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Our long-term goal is to target specific ion channels for treating stroke and heart diseases. 

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The current projects include Acid-sensing ion channel, Pannexin-P2X7 receptor, and Leucine-rich-repeat containing 8 (LRRC8) proteins. Cell death, either necrotic or apoptotic, is always associated with major alteration of membrane properties leading to membrane leakage. Over-activation or activation of certain ion channels, which are otherwise inactive in a healthy cell, is one of the reasons of membrane leakage. During ischemia, extracellular acidification triggers the opening of calcium-permeable acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) in the neuron, leading to cell death. We demonstrated that ASIC can be modulated by nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide. Recently we have also found a small molecule that can effectively block ASIC and thus protects neurons from ischemic damage.

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We are also studying the molecular mechanisms of the opening of ASIC. Apart from ASIC, the P2X7 receptor is also involved in the ischemic neuronal death. We demonstrated extracellular calcium-dependent coupling between the P2X7 receptor and pannexin hemichannel in neuronal system.  Another major area of our research is calcium signaling.

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We are in the process of identifying novel proteins associated with cellular calcium signaling. Recently, we have shown that a protein called LRRC8B is associated with calcium leak from endoplasmic reticulum.  We use electrophysiological techniques like Patch-clamp, Lipid bilayer membrane (BLM) recording and single cell calcium imaging in our study.