Certain cells in the nervous system (neurons) must rapidly convert surrounding chemical information into electrical signals. This is generally mediated by ligand-gated ion channels, proteins in the cell membrane that in response to chemical stimuli open an intrinsic channel, allowing the selective passage of electrolytes across the cell membrane.

Through this rapid chemo-electric signaling, ligand-gated ion channels – or receptors – make indispensable contributions to animal development and physiology and constitute important pharmacological targets. We use electrophysiological experiments, chemical biology, and molecular phylogenetics to dissect receptor function and evolution.

A major question we are pursuing is the evolution of excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the nervous system. The chemical basis for the selective recognition of certain neurotransmitters by their receptors is not perfectly understood. We use cutting edge chemical biology together with comparative and evolutionary analyses to approach this question.

Vitenskapelig artikkel

• Josep Marti Solans; Aina Børve; Line Espevoll Vevle et al. (2025). Invertebrate Bile Acid‐Sensitive Ion Channels and Their Emergence in Bilateria. (ekstern lenke)
• Sandra Seljeset; Oksana Vladimirovna Sintsova; Yuhong Wang et al. (2024). Constitutive activity of ionotropic glutamate receptors via hydrophobic substitutions in the ligand-binding domain. (ekstern lenke)
• Emily Jeanne S Claereboudt; Mowgli Dandamudi; Lea Francine J Longueville et al. (2025). Flipped binding modes for the same agonist in closely related neuropeptide-gated ion channels. (ekstern lenke)
• Josep Marti Solans; Aina Børve; Paul Bump et al. (2023). Peripheral and central employment of acid-sensing ion channels during early bilaterian evolution. (ekstern lenke)
• Timothy Lynagh; Stephan Kiontke; Maria Meyhoff-Madsen et al. (2020). Peptide Inhibitors of the α-Cobratoxin–Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Interaction. (ekstern lenke)
• Mowgli Dandamudi; Harald Hausen; Timothy Peter Lynagh (2022). Comparative analysis defines a broader FMRFamide-gated sodium channel family and determinants of neuropeptide sensitivity. (ekstern lenke)
• Valeriia Kalienkova; Mowgli Dandamudi; Cristina Paulino et al. (2024). Structural basis for excitatory neuropeptide signaling. (ekstern lenke)
• Giulio Rosano; Allan Barzasi; Timothy Lynagh (2024). Loss of activation by GABA in vertebrate delta ionotropic glutamate receptors. (ekstern lenke)
• Timothy Lynagh (2020). Characterization of Schistosoma mansoni Glutamate-Gated Chloride Channels. (ekstern lenke)
• Josep Marti Solans; Aina Børve; Andreas Hejnol et al. (2025). Diarylamidine activation of a brachiopod DEG/ENaC/ASIC channel. (ekstern lenke)
• Timothy Lynagh (2018). Acid-sensing ion channels emerged over 600 MYA and are conserved throughout the deuterostomes. (ekstern lenke)

Konferanseabstrakt

• Mowgli Dandamudi; Harald Hausen; Timothy Peter Lynagh (2023). FMRFamide-gated sodium channel diversity relationship to other DEG/ENaC channels, and the molecular basis for neuropeptide activity. (ekstern lenke)

Masteroppgave

• Lea Francine J Longueville; Karl Johan Tronstad; Knut Teigen et al. (2024). Characterization of mutations detected in a family of severe cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). (ekstern lenke)

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