Comparative studies of pacemaker channels

我的研究项目集中在细胞表面发现的被称为“起搏器”离子通道的蛋白质上。这些蛋白质允许钾离子和钠离子流入和流出细胞，这有助于产生电活动，负责心脏的重复跳动和大脑神经细胞的重复放电。我感兴趣的是这些蛋白质如何让离子通过，它们在哪些组织中被发现，以及它们在不同生物体中的功能和位置是如何进化的。这些问题对于理解离子进入细胞的基本机制和自发电脉冲产生的方式是重要的。我的研究对于确定起搏通道结构发生重要变化时的进化关键点也很重要，因为这些变化似乎与导致脊椎动物到来的身体计划的巨大变化相对应。最后，这项研究对于培养和激励年轻科学家至关重要，他们反过来又提供了许多新的想法和热情，然后可以继续他们未来的努力。

My research program is focused on proteins known as "pacemaker" ion channels found on the surface on cells. These proteins allow potassium and sodium ions to flow in and out of cells which helps to produce electrical activity that is responsible for repetitive beating in the heart and repetitive firing nerve cells of the brain. I am interested in how these proteins work to let ions pass, in which tissues they are found and how their function and location in different organisms has evolved. These questions are important for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of ion passage into cells and the way in which spontaneous electrical impulses are generated. My studies are also important to identify key points in the evolution when important changes in pacemaker channel structure occurred, because these seem to correspond with the large changes in body plan that lead to the arrival of vertebrates. Finally, the research is critical for training and motivating young scientists, who in turn provide many of the new ideas and much enthusiasm, which can be then carried on to their future endeavors.