Overview

We use a wide range of electrophysiology techniques to probe the function of neuronal circuits, synapses, and synaptic receptors. These include voltage clamp recordings from neurons responding to electrical or optical activation of identified afferent inputs, whole cell currents from native and recombinant receptors, and recordings from excised outside-out patches that contain a single active channel.

We evaluate questions relating to circuit function in healthy tissue and in neurological disease, synaptic transmission, and ion channel modulation. Two complementary lines of investigation center on the discovery and refinement of new pharmacological probes for modulating glutamate receptors through medicinal chemistry and chemical biology, and the functional evaluation of the impact of de novo human mutations on glutamate receptor function and circuit function. We collaborate with the Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), which provides analysis of missense variants upon request and mainatins a public database on all glutamate receptor variants.

In addition to electrophysiology, we use modern molecular approaches, cutting edge imaging, and biochemical analyses to evaluate receptor, synaptic, and circuit function.

Academic Appointment

• Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Emory University

Education

Research