Excited to share our new paper in Science Advances @science.org
In this work, we uncover how a disease-linked TRPC3 mutation, together with a cerebellum-specific splice isoform, stabilizes the channel in an open state, drives Calcium overload, and promotes neurodegeneration. (1/4)
We are so happy to see Vasanthi Jayaraman named chair of Biochemistry at UTHouston
Vasanthi is not only a leader in biophysics and Editor-in-Chief of the Biophysical Journal, but also a wonderful colleague and mentor
Congratulations @frettinglab.bsky.socialmed.uth.edu/blog/2026/04...
Excited to share our new paper in Science Advances @science.org
In this work, we uncover how a disease-linked TRPC3 mutation, together with a cerebellum-specific splice isoform, stabilizes the channel in an open state, drives Calcium overload, and promotes neurodegeneration. (1/4)
We are grateful to all the authors and collaborators who made this study possible. Special thanks to everyone in the Cordero-Morales and Vásquez laboratories (especially Briar Bell, Angela Jaramillo-Granda, and Luis Romero), as well as to our collaborators.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... (3/4)
Excited to share our new paper in Science Advances @science.org
In this work, we uncover how a disease-linked TRPC3 mutation, together with a cerebellum-specific splice isoform, stabilizes the channel in an open state, drives Calcium overload, and promotes neurodegeneration. (1/4)
Using electrophysiology, cryo-EM, molecular simulations, and in vivo models, we also identify a druggable inhibitory site that could guide future therapies for cerebellar ataxia.
(2/4)
Sudha (@chakrapanilab.bsky.social) and Julio (@cvlab.bsky.social) are organizing the 2026 Ion Channel Gordon Research Conference: Ion Channels Across Scales — Bridging Molecular Events to Physiological Outcomes, to be held at Mount Holyoke College, July 12–17, 2026.
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We have an outstanding speaker lineup, including Keynote Talks by Kenton Swartz, Nancy Carrasco, Miriam B. Goodman (@wormsense.bsky.social), and Francisco Bezanilla. Trailblazer Spotlights presented by Ed Twomey (@cryoet.bsky.social)and Theanne Griffith (@doctheagrif.bsky.social).
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The Cordero Vásquez Lab is starting the year on a high wheel (see below) with our latest work on the C. elegans PIEZO channel: “Structures of invertebrate PEZO-1 isoforms with a compact architecture and a dispensable pore-distal N-terminal blade”: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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4. The pore-distal, N-terminal blade is dispensable for mechanoactivation: the intermediate isoform is not only functional, but also inactivates more slowly than the long isoform.
5. The intermediate isoform induces larger membrane deformation than the long isoform.
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This work was a collaboration with Mat Baker (UTHealth Houston), the Chesler Lab @alexchesler.bsky.social (NIH), and the Sotomayor Lab (University of Chicago).
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The Cordero Vásquez Lab is starting the year on a high wheel (see below) with our latest work on the C. elegans PIEZO channel: “Structures of invertebrate PEZO-1 isoforms with a compact architecture and a dispensable pore-distal N-terminal blade”: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
1/5
Briar and Angela (CV Lab) solved three structures from heavily spliced worm isoforms. Along the way —while solving the structures, characterizing their function, and evaluating effects on membrane curvature— we ran into several surprises:
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1. The longest isoform resembles a Mercedes-Benz steering wheel in top view.
2. The long and intermediate isoforms are semi-flattened and differ from the mammalian domes.
3. Multiple blade–cap contacts stabilize a “toggle-down” conformation.
3/5
Our new Journal of Neuroscience paper "Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome (AS)” is out: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 1/6
Our results highlight cytoskeletal dysregulation as a key driver of ion channel and behavioral deficits, and suggest that actin-binding proteins may be targets to enhance motor coordination and spatial learning in AS. 5/6
Thanks to our team members (Luis Romero, Manisha Bade, Sonia Paz-López) and collaborators (Elisa Carrillo, Vasanthi Jayaraman @frettinglab.bsky.social , Syed Hasan, William James Antonisamy, and Zahoor Shah) 6/6
Our new Journal of Neuroscience paper "Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome (AS)” is out: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 1/6
In Angelman syndrome (AS), disrupted F-actin affects mechanosensitive and glutamatergic signaling. We show that a first-in-class, selective cofilin inhibitor (SZ-3) stabilizes the actin cytoskeleton, increases cellular stiffness, restores PIEZO2 function in DRG neurons and glutamate-evoked 3/6
Our new Journal of Neuroscience paper "Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome (AS)” is out: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 1/6
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UTHealth Houston has an open search for a tenure-track faculty position. If you are ready (or know someone that is) to start looking for positions, this will be a great opportunity to join the Texas Medical Center. See flyer below. 1/2
The Nobel Peace Committee sent a clear message to someone else in awarding the Prize to Ms. Machado:
”But democracy is also in retreat internationally. Democracy – understood as the right to freely express one’s opinion, …is the foundation of peace both within countries and between countries.” 👏
“The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 goes to a brave and committed champion of peace – to a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
PIEZO1 is abnormally overactive in sickle red blood cells (humans and mice). In mice, an EPA-enriched diet normalized PIEZO1 and reduced hemolysis, hypoxia-induced sickling, and downstream inflammation, suggesting a potential dietary strategy to support people living with sickle cell disease. 2/3
This study was a collaborative effort across multiple groups, led by our first graduate student, Dr.
Luis Octavio Romero, in partnership with graduate student Manisha Bade. 3/3
I’m so honored to be selected as both a 2025 McKnight Scholar and 2025 HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar. And I couldn’t be prouder to share these honors with awesome @ucdavis.bsky.social colleagues 💙💛💙💛
health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlin...
I spoke with Jade Hindmon, host of @kpbssandiego.bsky.social Midday Edition, about the consequences of the current administration’s cuts to science funding. Please share to help spread the word and raise awareness.
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpb...
Colorado's Rep Brittany Pettersen (D) flew cross-country with her one-month-old to vote against the GOP budget tonight. Dems ended up one vote short. Pettersen was part of an unsuccessful bipartisan push to allow new mothers to vote remotely. #copolitics
My colleague @rnareylab.bsky.social wrote this editorial for her hometown area newspaper. Well done & more please! www.heraldbanner.com/opinion/colu...
🚨🚨First paper of the year! I'm excited to share that our lab and collaborators have discovered that TRPV4/Cx43 hemichannels play a crucial role in endothelial hyperpolarization. Huge thanks to @piaburboa.bsky.social for continuing this fascinating work. physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/...
If you have been affected by the fires in LA, or are concerned about your ability to keep precious Drosophila strains going during the latest funding crisis, we will host your strains as a backup. Please email me.
Please amplify. If you are also able to host fly strains, add your name as well.
NSF has created an Executive Order Implementation webpage to ensure the widest dissemination of information and updates. We will continue to communicate with you as we receive additional guidance.
new.nsf.gov/executive-or...
The Sensory Transduction and Nociception Group @painchannels.bsky.social at @neuroalc.bsky.social offers a 1-year (extendable to 3) postdoctoral position.
The call is open until the position is filled.
More info 👇
in.umh-csic.es/en/ofertas/1...
While I realize this is not relevant to many of the present day discussions, the remarkable similarity of organisms at the biochemical, genetic, cellular, and physiological levels is not understood by many people.
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Just one month to go until the 2025 GRS/GRC in Molecular Pharmacology! Get ready for an extraordinary program packed with cutting-edge science and inspiring discussions. Full details here: www.grc.org/molecular-ph...
New paper‼️— from #PMB Griffith Lab! They show that sodium channels play unique roles in proprioceptive encoding. They also studied effects on skeletal muscle, and a dev dependent role for Nav1.6 in proprioceptive spinal circuits. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Thrilled to share the most recent pub from the Griffith Lab! We show that sodium channels play unique roles in proprioceptive encoding. We also found some really cool effects on skeletal muscle, and a dev dependent role for Nav1.6 in proprioceptive spinal circuits www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Está invitado para CIENCIA EN ESPAÑOL
I am hosting an event where University of Arizona scientists will speak about their science in Spanish. It is meant to be a community event with a Zoom option, so share with family too!
events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/...#CIENCIAENESPAÑOL
How hard do bacteria-eating nematodes bite in order to break the bacterial cell wall? Check out our new paper, led by Jason Casar & collab with Jen Dionne, using pressure sensing beads that change color upon compression (bluetorial coming soon) rdcu.be/d5n7v
New: McIlvried, @johndr01.bsky.social, Gereau et al. show that mechanisms of adaptive plasticity are engaged in mouse and human sensory neurons after sustained depolarization. This phenomenon is reversible and involves alterations of voltage-gated sodium channel currents. https://buff.ly/41JuRY7