My laboratory currently focuses on regulation of cellular excitability using electrophysiological, cell biological and molecular biological approaches. My immediate emphasis is to investigate the biophysical and molecular mechanisms of ion channel regulation by oxidation of methionine and cysteine using large-conductance calcium-dependent potassium channels.

The laboratory also studies how oxidation/reduction of methionine participates in life span determination using the model organism Drosophila. We hypothesize that oxidation of methionine shortens and enhanced repair of oxidized methionine extends the life span.

Because oxidative stress capable of oxidizing methionine is involved in many physiological and pathophysiological conditions, including some neurodegenerative diseases, regulation of methionine oxidation may be a viable therapeutic target.

Source:  http://www.med.upenn.edu/physiol/t_hoshi_bio.html