Research Interests Dr. Strickholm's early studies were in membrane ion channel electrophysiology and transport theory. This involved the invention of the patch clamp to record ion currents from large surface areas of muscle membrane. His research also examined excitation transfer down the transverse tubular system and mechanisms of excitation-contraction coupling. Other studies were on ion channel regulation of membrane potential by protein charged groups and the Na-K coupled ion pump. His current research involves instrumentation design to permit intra-cellular and voltammetric recording from small neurons to determine synaptic pharmacological pathways and interactions in neuronal systems; redesign of the single electrode voltage and current clamp; and the design of solid state microelectrodes for intracellular recording. He is presently using perfused brain slices of the hippocampus and amygdala for studies on synaptic modulation. Other current investigations involve examining the mechanism and control of catecholamine transport systems in reconstituted lipid membranes.
Research in my laboratory focuses on the neural and hormonal control of behavior. In particular, I am interested in how gonadal steroid hormones, such as testosterone and estradiol, influence the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system to produce sexually dimorphic and seasonally modulated behavior.
