Laboratory of Electrophysiology

Our Research Group studies the role of voltage activated calcium channels in neuronal activity.
Calcium channels are membrane proteins that control calcium entry. Their functions are the type and velocity of neurotransmission, gene expression, and membrane excitability, among others. 
We perform patch clamp experiments, which allow us to measure the ionic current flowing through calcium channels as well as the synaptic activity and neuronal excitability.
For our experiments we use transfected cell lines and primary neuronal cultures.
 Our research projects include:


> Impact of the differential modulation of N type calcium channels on nociceptors.
Presynaptic N type calcium channels control neurotransmission at the first synapse in the pain pathway. In previous studies performed at Dr. Lipscombe´s Lab (Brown University) we demonstrated that nociceptors express an alternative splicing isoform highly sensitive to GPCR regulation. This finding has contributed to explain why this synapse is so efficiently regulated by analgesic drugs such as morphine. Now, our Group will study the impact of the presence of this isoform on the synaptic activity and on events related with chronic pain development.

> Pharmacological tools to discriminate between the neuronal L type calcium channel subtypes CaV1.2 and CaV1.3.
L type calcium channels are involved in synaptic plasticity, regulate gene expression and differentiation, and also  participate in pathological states like chronic pain, epilepsy, and addictions. Previously, the classification of L type calcium channels comprised all high voltage activated calcium currents with slow kinetics and dyhidropyridine sensitivity, but currently we know that there are two genes that encode for the pore-forming subunit of L type calcium channels in neurons: CaV1.2 y CaV1.3.  We are looking for differences in the sensitivity to commonly used L type calcium channels blockers of these two channels. Thus, we express CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 channels in a cell line and study the effect of these drugs on their current. We are also studying the modulation of these channels by GPCR that are important in pain pathways, like mu opioid receptors and MC4 receptors.
We are also collaborating with Dr. Milesi  (GINFIV - UNLP) to investigate the effect of ethanol on the activity of these channels.

LABORATORY STAFF:
RAINGO, Jesica - (Head)
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POPP, Carolina - Concurrente Ad-honorem, bajo la dirección de la Dra. Raingo 
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COLLABORATORS:
Dr. Mario Perelló, (IMBICE)
Dra. Diane Lipscombe, (Brown University)
Dra. Verónica Milesi – Dr. Alejandro Rebolledo, (GINFIV-UNLP)