The major goal of this lab is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the plasma membrane γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters. We express the GABA transporters in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and use electrophysiological and electron microscopy methods to examine the structure, function, and pharmacology of these proteins.

Electrophysiology

• Two-Electrode Voltage Clamp
  We use the Warner Oocyte Clamp OC-725C (Warner Instruments, Inc.), and pCLAMP 8.1 (Axon Instruments, Inc.).
• Patch Clamp
  We use the Warner Patch Clamp PC-505B (Warner Instruments, Inc.), and pCLAMP 8.2 (Axon Instruments, Inc.).
• Tracer Uptake under Two-Electrode Voltage Clamp
• Rapid Oocyte Perfusion under Two-Electrode Voltage Clamp
  This system has been developed in-house, and allows software-controlled solution changes around intact, voltage-clamped Xenopus oocytes in < 20 ms.

Ion-Selective Electrodes

• Na⁺-, Cl^--, and H⁺-Selective Electrodes
  We use the FD223 high-impedance electrometer by World Precision Instruments, Inc.

Freeze-Fracture and Electron Microscopy (Electron Microscopy Center)

• Freeze-Fracture-Etch
  We use a JEOL RFD-9010CR freeze etch fracture system (RMC Products by Boeckeler Instruments Inc.).
• Electron Microscopy
  We use a Zeiss 10C transmission electron microscope.