Spafford, J. David - University of Waterloo

个人简介

David Spafford carries out research on voltage-gated cation channels including calcium and sodium channels and NALCN. The channels regulate key functions in our body, including signaling and rhythmic activities in the brain and heart. Applications of his research include developing new classes of drugs for treating epilepsy, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Neurophysiology, specifically voltage-gated cation channels in cellular membranes Ion channels and their role in drug development and medicine Molecular and cell biology analytical techniques such as fluoresence microscopy, tissue culture and maintenance, PCR Journal Editorship PLos One, Editorial Board Member Frontiers in Psychology, Editorial Board Member Professional Associations Canadian Association of Neuroscience Canadian Society of Zoologists Society for Neuroscience 1998 PhD Biological Science, University of Alberta 1992 BSc Physiology, Biology, University of Saskatchewan

研究领域

The Spafford laboratory examines voltage-gated cation channels including calcium and sodium channels and NALCN. Calcium channels participate in brain functions, such as synaptic transmission, neuronal plasticity, patterned nerve activity underlying rhythmic behaviours, outgrowth of neurons and synapse formation. Sodium channels play an essential role in generating action potentials. Action potentials propagate along nerve axons and is central to communication between neurons in the brain. NALCN is an orphan ion channel that have similarities to both calcium and sodium channels, and is associated with rhythmic output in the brain. Lab trainees are exposed to multidisciplinary research that spans molecular physiology and biophysics, to cell and integrative physiology underlying animal behaviour. Students have access to techniques in electrophysiology as well as in molecular and cell biology, protein biochemistry, fluorescence microscopy and tissue culture.

近期论文

查看导师新发文章（温馨提示：请注意重名现象，建议点开原文通过作者单位确认）

Stephens, R.F., Guan, W., Zhorov, B.S. and Spafford, J.D.(2015) Selectivity filters and cysteine-rich extracellular loops in voltage-gated sodium, calcium, and NALCN channels. Frontiers in Physiology. Membrane Physiology and Membrane Biophysics. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2015.00153 Guan, W., Stephens, R.F. and Spafford, J.D. (2014) "Cav3 T-type channels as drug targets for treating epilepsy" Future Neurology. 9(6)563-566. DOI 10.2217/fnl.14.42 Boone, A.N., Senatore, A., Chemin, J., Monteil, A., Spafford, J.D. (2014) "Gd3+ and calcium sensitive, sodium leak currents are features of weak membrane-glass seals in patch clamp recordings” PLoS ONE 9(6): e98808. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0098808 Boone, A.N., Senatore, A., Chemin, J., Monteil, A., Spafford, J.D. (2014) "Gd3+ and calcium sensitive, sodium leak currents are features of weak membrane-glass seals in patch clamp recordings” PLoS ONE 9(6): e98808. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0098808 Senatore, A., Guan, W., Boone, A.N., Spafford, J.D. (2014) "T-type calcium channels become highly sodium-permeable using an alternate extracellular turret region (S5-P) outside the selectivity filter” Journal of Biological Chemistry. 289(17) 11952‐11969. doi: 10.1074/ jbc.M114.551473.