My research group investigates the adaptive and plastic properties of mammalian neurons that are critical to the intrinsic homeostatic control of cellular excitability, neuronal activity and the overall cellular survival process in response to diverse pathological insults. The intrinsic excitability of mammalian neurons reflects the complex but fine interplay between the inward and outward membrane conductance, which underlies the unique electrical activity pattern in individual types of neurons within the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS). In mammalian nervous system these processes are homeostatically regulated during development and aging, and in response to short- and long-term changes in neuronal activity in the face of sustained alterations in synaptic stimulations, which otherwise could drive the neuronal activity towards extreme excitation or quiescence. These processes are primarily governed by the expression, localization and activity of voltage-gated ion channels. However, the ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by neurotransmitters, second messengers and a number of physiological and pathological mediators bring-in changes in membrane potentials, thereby providing the essential voltage change or electrical trigger to activate the voltage-gated ion channels.

Neuronal Excitability, Ion Channels, GPCR, Membrane Biology, Neurophysiology, Pain, Cancer, Rodent Behavior, Cellular Signaling, Neuroprotection