[Jordan 1-17] Hosted by Bimal Desai.
Research in our laboratory is focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling. Ca2+ is a ubiquitous intracellular signaling messenger, mediating many essential functions including gene expression, chemotaxis, and neurotransmitter release. Cellular Ca2+ signals generally arise from the opening of Ca2+ permeable ion channels, a diverse family of membrane proteins. We are studying Ca2+ signals arising from the opening of Store-Operated channels (SOCs), a family of plasma membrane Ca2+ channels activated by a decrease in the calcium content of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Human patients with mutations in SOCs suffer from a devastating immunodeficiency, underscoring their vital importance for human immunity.
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=16139