Flash and grab sodium channel auxiliary subunits with photobleaching microscopy and genetically encoded cross-linkers

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We are embarking on a molecular journey into the modern era of performing synthetic organic chemistry in the environment of the living cell. Our approach will combine the best technologies in the fields of chemistry, biology and microscopy to understand the composition and special function of a tiny 'receptor' in the heart that controls electrical signalling. Each heart cell contains millions of these little receptors, but we do not know the composition (parts) of the receptor nor do we know how the different parts of the receptor interact. Of note, our chemical and biological technologies will allow us to study receptors that carry a synthetic amino acid that when exposed to a certain type of light, this synthetic amino acid will become reactive and 'grab' the neighboring piece of the receptor, thus allowing us to identify the pieces of the receptor. Other experiments will see us use high-powered light to count the pieces of the receptor by the measuring light signals from genetically encoded 'flurorophores' that are attached to the different parts of the receptor. Additionally, our thoroughly modern experimental approaches and cutting edge research environment will allow us to provide High Quality Training of our personnel while developing novel techniques that will be invaluable for the success of current research programs and will make future funding applications significantly more competitive. Trainees will learn a variety of experimental techniques, including microscopy, electrophysiology and organic chemistry, each of which that will make them valuable assets for positions in the academic and industrial settings. Moreover, these technologies and chemical approaches, once developed in the Ahern lab, will have broad applications throughout biology and will provide countless training and collaborative opportunities for students of all level, undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral fellows throughout Canada and abroad.