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[[Image:sackshot.jpg|thumb|right]] | |||
Jon Sack, Ph.D. | |||
==Research interests== | |||
Electrical signaling in living cells controls a wide variety of arguably important physiological processes such as feeling, thinking, and heartbeat. Electrophysiological signals are created by proteins known as ion channels, and modulating the behavior of ion channels will alter the processes they control. The goal of my research program is to develop modulators selective for ion channel subtypes, to more precisely alter electrophysiological signals and identify channel subunits that generate native currents. Establishing the molecular identity of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels has been a particularly challenging problem: mammalian channels arise from a family of more than 40 genes, and pore-forming subunits can assemble as heterotetramers. Despite substantial and enduring efforts, few modulators of Kv channel activity have been discovered that are highly selective between channel subtypes. This is perhaps due to a high degree of sequence conservation between subfamily members in functionally important transmembrane segments. Our research efforts seek to enhance the selectivity of channel modulators by covalent attachment to benign, yet well-targeted, biologics. | |||
==Education== | |||
<!--Include info about your educational background--> | |||
* Ph.D., Stanford University, Department of Biological Sciences | |||
* B.A., Reed College, Biochemistry | |||
== | ==Institutional Affiliation== | ||
Assistant Professional Researcher | |||
Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior | |||
College of Biological Sciences | |||
University of California | |||
196 Briggs Hall | |||
One Shields Avenue | |||
Davis, California 95616 | |||
530.752.4131 tel | |||
530.754.6079 fax | |||
jsack (at) ucdavis (dot) edu | |||
Revision as of 11:38, 7 March 2011
Jon Sack, Ph.D.
Research interests
Electrical signaling in living cells controls a wide variety of arguably important physiological processes such as feeling, thinking, and heartbeat. Electrophysiological signals are created by proteins known as ion channels, and modulating the behavior of ion channels will alter the processes they control. The goal of my research program is to develop modulators selective for ion channel subtypes, to more precisely alter electrophysiological signals and identify channel subunits that generate native currents. Establishing the molecular identity of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels has been a particularly challenging problem: mammalian channels arise from a family of more than 40 genes, and pore-forming subunits can assemble as heterotetramers. Despite substantial and enduring efforts, few modulators of Kv channel activity have been discovered that are highly selective between channel subtypes. This is perhaps due to a high degree of sequence conservation between subfamily members in functionally important transmembrane segments. Our research efforts seek to enhance the selectivity of channel modulators by covalent attachment to benign, yet well-targeted, biologics.
Education
- Ph.D., Stanford University, Department of Biological Sciences
- B.A., Reed College, Biochemistry
Institutional Affiliation
Assistant Professional Researcher
Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior
College of Biological Sciences
University of California
196 Briggs Hall
One Shields Avenue
Davis, California 95616
530.752.4131 tel
530.754.6079 fax
jsack (at) ucdavis (dot) edu
