Cell Physiology Research Team

The Cell Physiology Team is part of the Drug Action Research Group and comprises Dr Kenneth T. Wann, Dr Riffat Naseem, Mr Neil C. Henney, Miss Bo Li, Mr Pablo Reviriego and Miss Valerie Morse. We belong to an Ionic Signalling Group which was established in May 2003.

PhD students: Miss Bo Li, Mr Pablo Reviriego and Mr Neil Henney

PhD student / Lecturer Pembrokeshire College: Miss Valerie Morse

Collaborations:

Professor Tony Campbell, Medical Biochemistry, Cardiff University

Dr Bronwen Evans, Child Health, Cardiff University

Dr Michael Pasternack, Helsinki, Dr Katri Wegelius, Helsinki, Finland

Professor Damian Bailey, Denver, USA

Professor Peter Andrews, Sheffield, UK
Professor Barry Holland, Paris, France

Erasmus Students: 2001-

Cornelia Franke 2001, Jasmin Schweizer 2002, Iva Prajerová 2003, Emma Suarez 2004, Elisa Gomez-Reino Garrido 2005, Pavla Šubrtová 2006

Iva (2003) Pavla (2006)

The main work of the laboratory is directed at characterising ion channels (K+ and TRPs in particular) in systems in vitro using traditional electrophysiological techniques such as voltage-clamping, single channel and whole cell current analysis and RT-PCR (also Real Time PCR). Planar bilayer methods are also being established. Cell culture techniques and viability assays are employed to study the role of ion channels. Target membrane K+ channels determine a number of important properties of excitable cells including setting resting membrane potentials, shaping action potentials, and controlling the patterns of neuronal firing. In inexcitable cells (e.g. osteoblasts, chondrocytes and cancer cells) functions include modulating secretion and controlling growth and proliferation. We have identified a number of ion channel subtypes in osteoblasts and chondrocytes the precise function of which is yet unknown (Figs 1, 2 & 3). Our hypothesis is that they impact on life and death decisions that cells make (Henney, Li).

A number of diseases of the central nervous system (e.g. motor neurone disease (MND), epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease (AD)) may be due to dysfunction of K+ channels and we have used cellular models of MND (Figs 4 & 5) and transgenic models of AD. Long QT syndrome, and predisposition to cardiac arrhythmias, another of our interests, can also be due to the dysfunction of subclasses of K+ channel. In summary, we are currently focussing on the characterisation of ion channels in a range of inexcitable cells, excitable cells and bacteria. Bacteria also possess ion channels and signalling in these organisms have become a prime interest of ours (Naseem). Bioluminescent indicators of ion channels are being developed (Reviriego) using in addition cloning techniques and fluorescence microscopy and the bioluminescence of hydroid is being characterised (Morse). Our various model systems can be used as assays in which to test to drug strategies and our long term view is that drugs having K+ channel modulating activity will have widespread therapeutic benefit.