Ciencia Puerto Rico

The focus of the research in this NIH-funded laboratory is on ion channel structure, ion-channel related disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Our long range goals are focused on: (1) the structure function relationships of nicotinic receptors, (2), the role of lipid-protein interaction on acetylcholine receptor function, (3) the question of how genetically abnormal ion channels give rise to neurodegeneration, (4) the regulation of neuronal nicotinic receptor assembly and oligomerization and (4) the molecular basis for nicotine addiction. It is our hope that these efforts might identify potential therapeutic targets, or channel-blocking agents that might benefit a broader range of neurodegenerative disorders.