Transporter Biology Group
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This group investigates the pharmacology and biochemistry of neurotransmitter transporters in the central nervous system. This involves the use of a combination of recombinant DNA and electrophysiological techniques to investigate the molecular basis for the actions of endogenous modulators as well as novel agents on neurotransmitter transporters. This group is particularly interested in glutamate transporters, as dysfunction of the transport processes associated with this key excitatory amino acid has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of neurological disorders, including: motor neurone disease, Alzheimer's disease and also ischaemia following a stroke.
The group is also interested in the role of glycine transporters in controlling glycine levels in the central nervous system. There are a number of potentially therapeutic drugs, including anti-psychotics and analgesics, which target glycine transporters and the group is investigating the molecular basis for the actions of these drugs.
