Understanding how acid-sensing channels work in the body
Acid-Sensing Ion Channel gating: Conformations and Consequences
This research explores how tiny channels in our cells sense changes in acid levels, which is important for brain function, pain, and even cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091040 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies constantly adjust to changes in acidity, and special channels called ASICs help cells respond to these shifts, especially in the nervous system. These channels play a role in many body processes, from how our brain works to how we feel pain and even how certain cancers develop. While we know what these channels look like individually, we need to learn how their different parts work together. This project aims to uncover these details, helping us understand how ASICs function in health and disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not involve direct patient participation, but its findings could eventually inform treatments for individuals with neurological conditions, chronic pain, or specific cancers.
Not a fit: Patients will not receive direct medical benefit from participating in this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of these acid-sensing channels could lead to new ways to treat conditions like stroke, chronic pain, and certain cancers in the future.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have successfully mapped the structure of individual acid-sensing channels, but this work aims to uniquely understand how their subunits interact.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maclean, David Malcolm — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Maclean, David Malcolm
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.