Richard W. Aldrich






		Richard W. Aldrich Title Professor Department Molecular and Cellular Physiology Research Interests Regulation of membrane excitability; molecular basis of the gating of ion channels. Email raldrich@leland.stanford.edu Phone 723-6531 Fax 725-4463 Address Beckman B171 Mail Code: 5323 Faculty Research Description Our work is directed towards understanding the molecular and biophysical mechanisms of the function of ion channels. Ion channels are the elementary excitable elements in the cell membranes of nerve, muscle, and many other cells where they produce and transduce electrical signals. Electrical signaling is generated and modulated as different types of channels open and close in response to neurotransmitters, hormones, membrane potential, mechanical forces and other agents. We are interested in the mechanisms by which these agents control the conformational changes that open and close the ion channel molecule. Our work is centered around biophysical analysis of the behavior of individual channel molecules, using single-channel and macroscopic patch clamp techniques. We use recombinant DNA techniques to manipulate channel protein structure and determine the functional alterations resulting from the structural modifications. Ogielska, EM and Aldrich RW. (1999) Functional Consequence of a Decreased Potassium Affinity in a Potassium Channel Pore - Ion Interactions and C-Type Inactivation 113: 347-358. Brenner R., Perez, GJ, Bonev AD, Eckman DM, Kosek JC., Wiler, SW., Patterson AJ., Nelson MT, and Aldrich RW. (2000) Vasoregulation by the beta1 subunit of the calcium-activated potassium channel, Nature Ref. Horrigan FT., Cui, J., and Aldrich RW. (Aug. 1999) Allosteric Voltage Gating of Potassium Channels I mSlo Ionic Currents in the Absence of Ca2+. Journal of General Physiology 114: 277-304. Horrigan FT., and Aldrich RW. (Aug. 1999) Allosteric Voltage Gating of potassium Channels II mSlo Channel Gating Charge Movement in the Absence of Ca2+. Journal of General Physiology 114: 305-336. Cox, DH., Cui, J. and Aldrich RW. (Sept. 1997) Allosteric Gating of a Large Conductance Ca-activated K+ Channel. Journal of General Physiology 110: 257-281. Areas of Study Cellular Neurobiology Membrane Excitability Molecular Neurobiology SBRC Ph.D.