Research

Ion channels, transporters, and neuromodulators in glia/neuron interaction in health, disease, and aging.

Glia are the most abundant cell type in the nervous system. Until recently, glia were thought to be mere support cells for neurons with no active role in processing and propagating synaptic information.  Now, it is widely acknowledged that glia actively respond to and modulate synaptic signals.  Essential to this process are ions and other signaling molecules that are released from glia, or conversely transported into glia.  Plasma membrane channels and transporters mediate the movement of these molecules into or out of glia. We still have an incomplete understanding of the influence of these membrane proteins on glial function and ultimately synapse function and animal behavior. Moreover, the molecular identities of most of these membrane proteins are still unknown. Our RNA sequencing data have identified over 30 glia-enriched membrane channels and transporters with potential roles in these processes. Using a combination of molecular, genetic, imaging and electrophysiological approaches we are testing the contribution of these channels and transporters to glial and neuronal function, and behavior. Moreover, we have recently began to explore to function of glial ion channels and transporters in aging.