معرفی
David M. MacLean is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). His research focuses on the structure-function relationships in ligand-gated ion channels, particularly acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), using electrophysiology, fluorescence spectroscopy, and computational modeling.
His work addresses how these channels convert chemical signals into electrical responses, their roles in brain function, and potential therapeutic targeting in pathological states like pain and neurodegeneration. Current projects explore ASIC activation mechanisms, iGluR conformational dynamics, and auxiliary protein modulation of receptor kinetics.
Key publications reveal insights into
- ASIC1a acidic pocket destabilization via photomodulation
- NMDA receptor allostery and energy landscapes
- FRET-based visualization of receptor structural changes
Scientific recognition includes the Paul F. Cranefield Postdoctoral Award and the Paul Stark Professorship in Pharmacology. Funding sources include NIH NIGMS (R35 grant), the Stark Endowment, and URMC start-up awards.
