Physiological Systems & Disease

Overview

Our central team of molecular physiologists and pharmacologists explore the diverse roles of channels and transporters in neurons, muscle cells, epithelial cells and stem cells. We collaborate extensively with structural biologists and clinicians across the University, and with the pharmaceutical industry.

Research group leader: Prof Mark Dunne

Principal investigators

Members

  • Nick Ashton - Pathophysiology of Hypertension
  • Peter Brown - Ion transport at the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier
  • Jason Bruce - The general mechanisms that give rise to specific spatio-temporal patterns of intracellular Ca2+ signals in non-excit
  • Maynard Case - Fluid and electrolyte transport in epithelia
  • Karen Cosgrove - Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Diabetes Mellitus
  • Mark Dunne - Pancreatic endocrine cells and stem cell biology
  • Gillian Edwards - The regulation of vascular smooth muscle membrane potential and tone by the endothelial cells
  • Austin Elliott - Calcium signalling, divalent cation transport and stimulus-response coupling in mammalian cells
  • Liz Fitzgerald - Molecular and Cellular Physiology of Voltage-gated Calcium Channels
  • Alison Gurney - Ion channels regulating vascular tone in the pulmonary circulation
  • Kath Hinchliffe - Inositol lipid function and regulation
  • Owen Jones - Targeting of Ion Channels in the Central Nervous System
  • Holly Shiels - Cardiac Physiology in Ectotherms
  • Craig Smith - Sensing and transport of essential nutrients
  • Martin Steward - Membrane transport in secretory epithelia
  • Xin Wang - The MAP Kinase Signalling Pathways in the Heart
  • Donald Ward - Extracellular Calcium Homeostasis
  • Arthur Weston - Modulation of ion channels and gap junctions in the vasculature
  • Melissa Westwood - Growth and Growth factors

Affiliates

  • Stephen High - Membrane protein biosynthesis at the endoplasmic reticulum
  • Steve Prince - Membrane Protein Structural Biology
  • Lisa Swanton - Mechanisms of protein quality control and their role in disease
A two photon image of airways and alveoli in an intact lung.

A two photon image of airways and alveoli in an intact lung.

Environmental SEM of living Pleurotus mycelium.

Environmental SEM of living Pleurotus mycelium.

Section through diabetic rat bladder

Section through diabetic rat bladder showing expression of TREK-1 potassium channels in the urothelium (red)

The membranes of smooth muscle cells in a living arteriole.

A voltage-sensitive dye (yellow) outlines the membranes of smooth muscle cells in a living arteriole. Nucear stain blue.

Calcium oscillations in HEK cells transfected with CaR

False colour fura-2 ratio image showing calcium oscillations in HEK cells transfected with CaR.

 

Our research

Cell Signalling:

Extracellular signals modulate cellular activity via complex, interconnecting pathways involving receptor proteins, membrane lipids, intracellular messengers and protein kinase cascades.

Ion Channels:

Ion channels have pivotal roles in neuronal activity, cardiovascular function and epithelial transport. Many are implicated in the aetiology of major diseases and are therefore important therapeutic targets.

Molecular Sensing:

Homeostasis, whether at the cellular or whole-organism level, depends upon the accurate sensing of important ions and molecules in order to direct appropriate feedback responses.

Membrane Protein Targeting:

The movement of channels and transporters between the ER, Golgi complex and cell surface has to be precisely regulated to ensure that membrane proteins are expressed in the correct numbers at the correct locations.

Solute Transporters:

Numerous carriers and pumps are involved in the transport of ions and other solutes across the plasma membrane. Many have critical roles in the regulation of the intracellular environment, others in secretion and absorption by epithelia.

 

Fellowships

We welcome post-doctoral research fellows in fields complementary to our research profiles and we would be pleased to consider a request to host your fellowship. To this end, we are happy to provide advice, guidance and help with any application.

If you wish to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship in any of the research areas covered by Physiological Systems & Disease, please do not hesitate to contact us. If appropriate, we are happy to organise a visit for you to see our facilities and talk to specific group members. In addition, we are happy to provide advice and guidance with application.