Investigations into the structure and function of novel intracellular ion-channels

Our group investigates the biophysical properties of ion-channels that are present on intracellular Ca2+ stores. This includes, for example, ryanodine receptor Ca2+-release channels (RyR) that are present on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and ion-channels activated by nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) that are present on acidic lysosome-like Ca2+ stores. We are also interested in the function of other intracellular ion-channels such as SR K+ channels or anion channels that act to support the Ca2+-release/ uptake process. We have recently characterised a number of novel ion-channels on intracellular Ca2+ stores (Two-pore channels (TPC2), TRIC-A, TRIC-B, MG23) and are currently investigating their role in health and disease and examining relationships between structure and function in these channels. Ion-channel reconstitution and single-channel recording are key experimental techniques in our laboratory. We collaborate with biochemists to develop quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) that can describe ion-channel function and provide insight into the interactions of the channels with specific drugs and physiological regulators. We are also working closely with mathematicians to model the ionic fluxes that support the process of Ca2+-release from intracellular stores.