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FEATURED SCIENTIST:: Dr. Altenberg's current work focuses on the gap-junction-forming proteins known as connexins. These are the proteins that form the intercellular channels that compose the gap junctions, which are essential for cell-to-cell electrical and chemical communication, and are involved in development, as well as in physiological and pathophysiological processes.
The main current projects in our laboratory are:
Structure/function analysis of gap-junction channels. Identification of pore-lining residues and determination of the molecular mechanisms of permeability regulation.
Mechanism of deafness caused by mutations of the cochlear connexins. Mutations of connexin 26 (Cx26) are the most frequent cause of deafness.