Contact information

Tel.: 514-934-8094
Email: rob.dunn@mcgill.ca

Academic affiliations

Neurology and Neurosurgery
Biology

Research: Regulating neuronal cell signaling through voltage-gated ion channels

We are interested in the molecular mechanisms that underlie signal processing in vertebrate sensory neurons. Our studies focus on the diverse families of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors that are responsible for the generation and control of neuronal signals. Since our first molecular description of the vertebrate sodium channel, the number of identified channel and receptor genes has multiplied greatly. A important goal for neurobiology is to understand how this diverse group of proteins act to mediate brain functions. The links on the left will direct you to brief descriptions of the research projects in our lab that address some of these issues.

Our studies utilize two model systems, neurons of the teleost electrosensory system, and neurons of murine hippocampus. One focus is on the molecular interactions that control both the activities and subcellular localizations of potassium channel proteins. A second focus is on receptors that transmit synaptic signals for the neurotransmitter glutamate in the electrosensory system.

Information in the nervous system is encoded by the timing and patterns of the action potentials that are generated by neurons. Uncovering the mechanisms that control these events is key to understanding brain function. For a particular neuron, electrical signals result from the interplay synaptic mechanisms that encode trans-neuronal signals with the ion channels and regulatory elements that determine the neuron's intrinsic excitability.

Listed below you will find links to descriptions of our ongoing research projects that focus on two key elements in neuronal signaling; potassium channels and neurotransmitter receptors. In addition, we describe our studies on a novel mechanism for regulation of neuronal signals. Additional information is available from our publications or by contacting Rob Dunn.