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Dr. Brad Rothberg, Temple University, "Structure and function of an ATP-gated K+ channel from mycobacteria: A potential drug target for TB"

Event Type
Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor
MIP Seminar Committee
Location
Charles Miller Auditorium, B102, CLSL
Date
Feb 29, 2024   11:00 am  
Speaker
Brad S. Rothberg, Ph.D.
Contact
Julie Moore
E-Mail
jmoor@illinois.edu
Views
42
Originating Calendar
Molecular and Integrative Physiology (MIP) Department Seminar Series
"Structure and function of an ATP-gated K+ channel from mycobacteria: A potential drug target for TB"         

The research in my laboratory is aimed at figuring out how ion channels work at the molecular level. Our strategy to study channel structure and function combines patch-clamp electrophysiology, site-directed mutagenesis, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and biochemical techniques to deduce a working hypothesis of the molecular architecture of a channel.

Our work is focused primarily on calcium-activated potassium channels. These types of channels are found in many organisms, ranging from bacteria and insects to humans. In higher organisms, the opening of these channels lets potassium flow out of the cell; this hyperpolarizes the cell membrane and decreases electrical excitability. In nerve cells, this translates to a decrease in action potential firing; in the smooth muscle cells that line blood vessels and the trachea, this translates to relaxation, so these channels may be therapeutic targets in the control of blood pressure and asthma.

 


                    
                        
                
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