I have been a Research Assistant in the Boron Lab for the last 1.5 years, working on sodium-driven bicarbonate transporters, primarily NBCn1. I utilize molecular biology techniques to obtain specific mutations within the protein, and then inject the mutated cRNA into Xenopus oocytes for electrophysiological experiments. Specifically, I monitor membrane potential, intracellular pH , and current-voltage relationships via two-electrode voltage clamping. Currently, I’m working with a series of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NBCn. My goal is to determine what effect, if any, these SNPs have in altering the functional properties of NBCn1.
I have been employed by CWRU as a research associate for more than 4 years. Prior to coming here, I spent 7 years working in in the medical field on the clinical side. While I enjoyed interacting with patients on a daily basis, I enjoy working in research much more. In the time I’m not working in the lab, I enjoy gardening and completing various home improvement projects. I’m in the finishing stages of completing turning my basement into a “man-cave”, from which I hope to someday enjoy either a Browns’ Super Bowl win, or the US winning the World Cup!
| Major Research Areas |
|---|
| Membrane Trafficking, Membrane Transport, Protein Structure/Function, Renal Proximal Tubules, pH Regulation |
| Disciplines |
| Electrophysiology, Molecular Biology |
| Organ Systems |
| Nervous System, Renal System |
| Diseases |
| Epilepsy, Hypertension |
| Major Techniques |
| Confocal Microscopy, Electrophysiology, Gel Electrophoresis/Western Blots, Immunohistochemistry, Ion Transport, Ion-Sensitive Microelectrodes, RT-PCR, Two-Electrode Voltage-Clamp Technique, Working Heart Perfusions |
