Research Seminar Speaker Series – Jerome Lacroix, Western University – “How do you feel? Sensing mechanical forces with PIEZO channels”

Please join us for our Research Seminar Series Speaker, Jerome Lacroix, Associate Professor, Western University presentation on: 

Channel proteins catalyze the passive transport of solutes across cell membranes. These rapid transmembrane flows act as cellular signals in numerous biological functions. Channel opening is typically triggered by the presence of a specific stimulus, which is detected by a dedicated sensory domain located within the channel protein. During my talk, I will introduce the audience to a family of mechanically-activated ion channels called PIEZOs. In vertebrates, this family encompasses only two members called PIEZO1 and PIEZO2. My laboratory investigates how PIEZO1 senses mechanical stimuli such as membrane stretch and fluid shear stress. To this aim, we use electrophysiology techniques to measures the transmembrane electrical current produced by the flow of electrically charged ions through individual channels or through a population of channels. Another technique consists of using conformation-sensitive, genetically-encodable fluorescent probes which are inserted at strategic positions within the channel molecule. Using high-resolution fluorescence imaging, it is possible to correlate channel activation with changes in fluorescence emission, shedding light on the structural correlate of channel function. I will present recent results from my lab and what these results teach us about how these channels work. 

Date: Friday, February 2, 2023

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ON Campus

Location: 121 Building ­– 1111 Classroom