Project
Functional characterization of novel ligand-gated ion channels.
Fast communication in the brain is carried out by a family of receptors called ligand-gated ion channels. In humans and other vertebrates, these receptors are controlled by three main neurotransmitters: acetylcholine, glycine and GABA. However, the ligand-gated ion channels of invertebrates, while related to those of humans, can be activated by a wider range of chemical messengers and can have different effects on neurons. These differences make ligand-gated channels a prime target for drugs against invertebrate parasites such as roundworms and flatworms. In this work, we will study the ligand-gated ion channels of the roundworm C. elegans to learn more about how these receptors are controlled by neurotransmitters and other chemical signals. We will also study how newly-discovered types of ligand-gated channels act in brain circuits to control behavior. Finally, we will study related channels from parasitic roundworms and flatworms to identify targets for new antiparasitic drugs.