Research areas

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My research is focused on functional study of cell-cell communications through gap junction channels and chemical synaptic transmission.

Dual patch clamp setup.

We use fluorescent proteins (GFP and RFP) to tag connexins and mutants. Dual patch clamp is used to measure gap junction coupling conductance.

Single channel recording from Cx50 gap junction channel (from Li Xin)

Research interests:

1. We are interested in delineating how gap junction mutants causing human diseases, including cardiac arrhythmias, skin diseases, neurodegeneration and infertility. We are using dual patch clamp and dynamic fluorescent imaging (calcium imaging and voltage-sensitive dye imaging) techniques to investigate the functional outcomes of mutant connexins. We have a Gap Junction Group at UWO, which provides an enriched stimulating research environment.

2. We also study the functional domains of connexin molecule in determining the gap junction channel properties, such as transjunctional voltage-dependent gating (Vj-gating), single channel conductance and the hemichannel docking interactions.

3. We also study fast excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in hippocampus. The endogenous modulators of L-glutamate receptors and GABA-A receptors are investigated using patch clamp in acutely isolated neurons and brain slice preparations.

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