Description:

My lab studies the structure and function of voltage-gated calcium channels from the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, a platyhelminth parasite that causes schistosomiasis. Our results from heterologous expression of schistosome calcium channel subunits indicate that they are targets of praziquantel, the current drug of choice against schistosomiasis. Further research will probe the precise mechanism by which praziquantel acts, using single channel recordings of expressed channel subunits in mammalian cells.

Progress:

As this is a new laboratory at the BRC there is little data to report. The BRC however has been critical in facilitating the setup of this group. We provide cell culture facilities, electrophysiological equipment and expertise. Further we have assisted in an NIH grant application to qualitatively study the transport characteristics of an endogenous ATP binding cassette transporter.