Cerebellum Cobalt Staining Synaptic Activity in AII Amacrine Cells iGluR Structures Antibody Staining of the Rat Retina GABA Receptor Structure iGluR Single Channels NaV-Ab Structure Spikes in cerebellar stellate cells iGluR Drug Discovery GABA Receptors in Human Epilepsy AMPARs in Glaucoma Sodium Currents Single Channel iGluRs AMPAR Signaling Complex

The Bowie Lab uses a combination of techniques to study ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), GABA-A receptors and more recently, Na+ channels. All ion-channel families are widespread in the vertebrate brain and fulfill many important roles in healthy individuals as well as being implicated in disease states associated with postnatal development (e.g. Autism, Schizophrenia), cerebral insult (e.g. Stroke, Epilepsy) and aging disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsonism). We are looking at iGluRs, GABA-A receptors and Na+ channels at two inter-related levels. In molecular terms, we are examining the events that occur when each ion-channel family is activated with the aim of developing novel therapeutic compounds. At the cellular level, we are studying the role that iGluRs, GABA-A receptors and Na+ channels fulfill in shaping the behaviour of neuronal circuits and how these processes may be corrected in disease states.