.
.
.
.
.
Close
|
 |
Gerard P. Ahern
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Ph.D., Physiology and Biophysics
Australian National University, 1996
(202) 687-9678
gpa3@georgetown.edu
|
|
How do we
sense the world around us? How do cells detect changes in the external or
extracellular environment? We are interested in the fundamental mechanisms that
allow cells to sense diverse chemical or physical stimuli. Our focus is a class
of membrane ion channels called “Transient Receptor Potentials” (TRP) channels.
We also explore novel ligand signaling at G-protein coupled receptors both in
neurons and immune cells. We use a combination of electrophysiological, cell
imaging, genetic and biochemical techniques, and where possible, appropriate
animal models.
Selected Publications:
-
Matta JA, Cornett PM,
Miyares RL, Abe K, Sahibzada N, Ahern GP
General anesthetics activate a nociceptive ion channel to enhance pain
and inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:8784-8789, 2008
-
Matta JA, Ahern GP:
Voltage is a partial activator of rat thermosensitive TRP channels.
J Physiol. 585:469-82, 2007
-
O'Connell PJ, Wang X,
Leon-Ponte M, Griffiths C, Pingle SC, Ahern GP:
A novel form of immune signaling revealed by transmission of the
inflammatory mediator serotonin between dendritic cells and T cells.
Blood. 107:1010-7, 2006
-
Ahern GP, Brooks IM,
Miyares RL, Wang XB:
Extracellular cations sensitize and gate capsaicin receptor TRPV1
modulating pain signaling. J Neurosci. 25:5109-16, 2005
-
Ahern GP:
Activation of TRPV1 by the satiety factor oleoylethanolamide. J
Biol Chem. 278:30429-34, 2003
-
Klyachko VA, Ahern GP, Jackson MB:
cGMP-mediated facilitation in nerve terminals by enhancement of the
spike after-hyperpolarization. Neuron.
31:1015-25, 2001
-
Hsu
Sf, O'Connell PJ, Klyachko VA, Badminton MN, Thomson AW, Jackson MB,
Clapham DE, Ahern GP:
Fundamental Ca2+ signaling mechanisms in mouse dendritic cells: CRAC is
the major Ca2+ entry pathway. J Immunol.
166:6126-33, 2001
-
Premkumar LS, Ahern GP:
Induction of vanilloid receptor channel activity by protein kinase C.
Nature. 408:985-90, 2000
Click here to do
a Medline Search for all publications of Gerard Ahern. |
|
