Researchers in the Department of Physiology use a range of sophisticated techniques in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biophysics, electrophysiology, and in vitro and in vivo imaging with confocal and multi-photon microscopy in an attempt to understand how biological systems – molecules, cells and organs - operate in an integrated manner to bring about complex behaviours of the intact organism. Areas of study include the structure-function analysis of various ion channels/transporters and ligand-activated receptors; the molecular basis of synaptic transmission, plasticity and neuroregeneration; the mechanisms by which steroids and hormones regulate gene expression; and the mechanisms underlying the sorting and trafficking of proteins along the exocytic & endocytic pathways as well as the shuttling of proteins between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments.

Faculty members undertaking research in this area:

Gil Bub
John Hanrahan
Gergely Lukacs
Masha Prager-Khoutorsky
John Orlowski
Ana Nijnik
Reza Sharif
Alvin Shrier
Ursula Stochaj
John White