Connexin and Pannexin Channels: From Molecular Insights to Applications in Health and Disease
Physiology Group
Project 4
Connexin and Pannexin Channels: From Molecular Insights to Applications in Health and Disease
Description
Connexins are channel-forming proteins that assemble into two different kinds of channels: gap junctions and hemichannels. Gap junctions interconnect the cytoplasm of coupled cells while hemichannels form a release and entry pathway possibly involved in cell death. The aim of this research network is to expand, via international contacts and joint research efforts, our current knowledge and expertise on connexin channels at the level of four topics:
- What is the regulation of hemichannels as compared to gap junction channels ?
- How can we influence hemichannels without affecting gap junctions and which tools should we develop ?
- What is the role of gap junctions and hemichannels in cell death ?
- What is the in vivo role and function of hemichannels and can targeting these channels improve the outcome in disease ?
Wetenschappelijke onderzoeksgemeenschappen (Dutch)
Funding Ageny
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) sponsored Scientific Research Network 2016-2020, PI Luc Leybaert in collaboration with Prof. Vera Rogiers, VUB and Prof. Jean-Baptiste Parys, KULeuven.
External members: Prof. Christian Naus, University of British Columbia (CA), Prof. Bruno Cogliati, University of Sao Paulo (BR) and Prof. Robert Gourdie, Virginia Tech Carillon Research Institute (US)
Contact
Luc Leybaert