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Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics

Photograph of Dr. Jansen

Michaela Jansen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics

starting Dec 2008

Ph.D., Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany, 2001
Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
3601 4th Street, STOP 6551
Lubbock, Texas 79430
FAX: (806) 743-1512
Email: Michaela.Jansen@ttuhsc.edu


Research Interests

My current research focuses on structure and function studies of ligand-gated ion channels and transporters. We are especially interested in the so called Cys Loop receptors. These receptors function mainly as neurotransmitter receptors, transforming the chemical signal contained in the neurotransmitter into an electrical signal. The superfamily of Cys Loop receptors has a variety of members, that are named after the ligand that opens (gates) them. Cys Loop receptors are targeted by a variety of clinically used drugs.

Receptor: Ligand: Clinically targeted for:
nAChR Acetylcholine Treatment of Nicotine addiction, Alzheimer's Disease
GABAA gamma-Aminobutyric acid Treatment of Epilepsy, Anaesthesia, Muscle relaxation, Anxiolytics
5-HT3A 5-hydroxytryptamine = serotonine Treatment of Depression, Nausea in Chemotherapy

Further Information is available here!

Recent Publications

NCBI Zhao R, Qiu A, Tsai E, Jansen M, Akabas MH, Goldman ID. The Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter (PCFT): Impact on Pemetrexed Transport and on Antifolates Activities as Compared to the Reduced Folate Carrier. Mol Pharm 2008 Sep; 74(3) Epub ahead of print
NCBI Jansen M, Bali M, Akabas MH. Modular Design of Cys-loop Ligand-Gated Ion Channels: Functional 5-HT3 and GABA rho1 Receptors Lacking the Large Cytoplasmic M3-M4 Loop. J Gen Physiol 2008 Feb; 131(2):137-146
NCBI Qiu A, Min s, Jansen M, Malhotra U, Tsai E, Cabelof DC, Matherly L, Zhao R, Akabas MH, Goldman ID. Rodent intestinal folate transporters (SLC46A1): secondary structure, functional properties, response to dietary folate restriction. Am J Physiol - Cell Physiol 2007 Nov; 293(5):C1669-78.
NCBI Qiu A, Jansen M, Sakaris A, Min SH, Chattopadhyay S, Tsai E, Sandoval C, Zhao R, Akabas MH, Goldman ID. Identification of an intestinal folate transporter and the molecular basis for hereditary folate malabsorption. Cell 2006 Dec 1;127(5):917-28.
NCBI Jansen M, Akabas MH. State-dependent cross-linking of the M2 and M3 segments: functional basis for the alignment of GABAA and acetylcholine receptor M3 segments. J Neurosci 2006 Apr 26;26(17):4492-9.
NCBI Reeves DC, Jansen M, Bali M, Lemster T, Akabas MH. A Role for the beta1-beta2 Loop in the Gating of 5-HT3 Receptors. J Neurosci 2005 25 (41); 9358-9366.

Several Positions are going to be available starting December 2008!

Last revised, 2 July 2008