Membrane potential

long length of time, low to direct power exercise. (Quinn, 2014) “Other types of fats found in the body serve non-energy-producing functions. Phospholipids are a key structural component of all cell membranes and form protective sheaths around some large nerves. Steroids are found in cell membranes and also function as hormones or as building blocks of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone” (Kenney, 2011 pg. 51). Describe the primary structure of the heart and the primary functions of…

patients. While the serum of healthy controls had little impact on cell migration in a wound healing assay, faster wound closure was observed in cells exposed to serum derived from three out of four patients. Although the total change in migration potential was significantly higher in Panc-1 cells, a similar trend was observed in MiaPaCa2…

After astrocytes remove glutamate from the ECS, glutamate must be isolated and degraded. Glutamate transporters are bidirectional, so intracellular elevations of glutamate levels will lead to an electrochemical gradient-mediated release if the molecule is not destroyed. If glutamate release is unregulated glutamate accumulates in the ECS and impairs the survival of neurons. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) helps degrade glutamate into a-ketoglutarate, an intermediary in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA)…

Research Statement Past research accomplishments. Probing the dynamics of neuronal activities is crucial to understand the complex mechanisms of the brain and related diseases. Thus, there are great demands on optogenetic indicators for neuronal activities. However, engineering desired optogenetic indicators is a well-known challenge, probably due to the delicate sensing mechanisms, and the lack of effective high-throughput screen. To tackle this, I developed several novel molecular evolution…

important to examine the ways that this disorder can be controlled. Low potassium diets, regular turnout, and a constant schedule have been shown to effectively manage the condition of Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. The role of potassium in action potentials, as well as in muscular contraction, is reviewed. Also investigated is the ideal way to feed a horse affected with this condition. In recent years, a new condition in the performance horse industry has surfaced which is affecting the…

although the full extent to its functions and how and when it causes the MLIV are still unknown. This is because past studies focused on constitutive membrane trafficking to and from lysosomes since MLIV patients had cytoplasmic buildup of inclusion bodies with multiple lamellar membranes and storage of lipids and proteins (Park et al., 2016). However, membrane trafficking did not explain impaired neuromuscular and secretory cells’ functions regulate exocytosis since trafficking takes minutes to…

Figure 1. An EMG Tracing of Triceps and Biceps Muscles Co-activation. EMG signal produces an electrical activity of the muscle fibers active at a moment time. The electrical activity is measured in millivolts per milliseconds. The top channel shows the bicep EMG, while the bottom EMG correlates to the triceps contraction traces. Shown on the top graph, there are two periods of bicep activation, each last approximately 1.5ms. When the biceps are activated, it produces increasing amplitude peaks,…

The nucleus accumbens is the release sight for the neurotransmitter dopamine, a nature chemical in the central nervous system. When released in standard quantities, it assists in critical brain functions. Like most neurotransmitters, dopaminergic signaling entails an equilibrium between dopamine release and the re-uptake by presynaptic nerve terminal. Under specific circumstances, a stimulus will promote the release of dopamine into the synapse. Dopamine transporters will then remove the…

Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) is a rare, neuromuscular junction autoimmune disease. The immune system produces immunoglobulin G antibodies against voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) residing on the cell membrane of the presynaptic nerve ending.1,3,5,6 The etiology of LEMS is decreased exocytosis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from presynaptic neurons into the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) caused by autoantibodies attacking VGCCs.3,7.10 There are two distinct groups of LEMS…

neuron’s ability to propagate action potential since calcium and sodium-dependent depolarization are inhibited (Bellingham, 2011). In contrast, it activates G-protein dependent processes, releasing calcium stores to counter inhibitory effects which may consequently lead to no effects at all unless in high dosages (Bensimon, Lacomblez, and Meininger, 1994). Furthermore, aminotransferases leading to toxic levels of ammonia causing unwanted brain damage is a potential side-effect of Riluzole…