Ion channels and  neurophysiology.

Euan Brown's Laboratory at Heriot- Watt

We are currently working on biophysical approaches using classic electrophysiology and custom microelectrode arrays. Our aim is to deploy new technology exploiting the electrical signalling of cells for healthcare technologies.  Projects include  myelination and demyelination in human  and mouse cell cultures of neurones and glia to study multiple sclerosis, and the development of electrical approaches to study the health of islets of langerhans for transplantation in humans. 

We are also developing new dyes and methodology for imaging ion fuxes from cells in real- time.

Figure on right:  Electrical activity determined by microelectrode array (A) over 24 days in vitro of mouse spinal cultures B.  Pharmacology of electrical activity (C) and D neuronal activity determined by classic electrophysiology.   Note that  myelinating cell cultures are spontaneously electrically active.  From https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.16802.1

NEWS!  New paper on the anatomy and function of they myelin channel system https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.06.02.591488v1