Dr. Hess is investigating the way in which the proteins that consititute the channels in cell membranes function as they recognize a signal in the environment and open or close to control the passage of ions. The movement of the ions then produces a signal that leads to a further event (muscle contraction, nerve conduction, hormone secretion, etc.). The investigator has developed techniques for the measurement of the very fast reactions that occur when an outside signal binds the membrane receptor, the channel opens, and ions flow. The specific system to be investigated with the current grant involves those that utilize acetyl choline as the external signal and in particular how phosphorylation of the membrane receptor affects its properties.
