Ion channel biology and role of ion channels in neuronal and muscle disorders: Our main interest is the biology of ion channels and how they control the activity of muscle and nerve cells. Ion channel mutations have been linked to several neurological and muscle disorders including epilepsy, pain and cardiac arrhythmias.
My lab uses electrophysiological, molecular biological, biochemical, imaging and computer modeling techniques to study how specific ion channels contribute to excitability and pathophysiological conditions.
We also try to develop strategies for the treatment of disorders that involve ion channels. Therefore we explore the pharmacology of ion channels, working to identify small molecules, biological toxins and cannabinoids that can modulate ion channels and potential serve as candidate molecules for the development of new drugs.
Dr. Cummins main interest is the physiology of ion channels and how they control the electrical activity of muscle and nerve cells.Ion channel mutations have been linked to several neurological and muscle disorders including epilepsy, pain and non-dystrophic myotonias. Hislab useselectrophysiological,molecular biological, biochemical, imaging and computer modeling techniques to study how specific ion channels contribute to excitability and pathophysiological conditions. We also are working to develop strategies for the treatment of disorders that involve ion channels.Therefore we explore the pharmacology of ion channels, investigatingsmall molecules, biological toxins and cannabinoids that can modulate ion channels and potential serve as candidate molecules for the development of new drugs.
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