Christine Beeton

Christine Beeton, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Baylor College of Medicine. She serves as Academic Director of the Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core for the Dan L Duncan Cancer Center and is a core faculty member at the Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID).

• Education: Ph.D. in Immunology (Faculté des Sciences de Luminy, Université de la Méditerranée), Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of California, Irvine.
• Research Focus: Targeting ion channels (KCa1.1, Kv1.3) and developing antioxidant nanomaterials for autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 myotonic dystrophy).
• Key Techniques: Animal models (EAE, arthritis), patch-clamp electrophysiology, zymography, and flow cytometry.

Her lab's recent publications highlight advances in:

• KCa1.1 channel inhibition for rheumatoid arthritis therapy
• Kv1.3 channel blockers (ShK-186/dalazatide) for selective T cell immunomodulation
• PEGylated venom peptides for sustained efficacy
• Antioxidant carbon nanoparticles in T cell-mediated autoimmunity
• Channel expression dynamics in fibroblast-like synoviocytes
• Species-specific potassium channel phenotypes

Scientific Awards:

• Michael E. DeBakey Excellence in Research Award (2024)
• Clark Faculty Service Award (2018)
• Laverna Titus Award (2005)

The lab has trained numerous students and postdoctoral fellows, including Shyny Koshy (American Lung Association fellowship), Rajeev Tajhya (Ph.D. candidate), and Redwan Huq (NIH T32-funded Ph.D.). Collaborations with Dr. James Tour (Rice University) explore carbon-based nanotherapeutics.