Marino Di Franco

Marino Di Franco is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He holds a PhD in Cell Physiology from the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) and has held academic positions at UCV before joining UCLA in 2002. His primary research focuses on muscle electrophysiology, calcium homeostasis, and optogenetic techniques to study muscle physiology. Di Franco leads the Laboratory of Muscle Physiology and Biophysics, investigating conditions like muscle dystrophy and malignant hyperthermia. He has received multiple awards, including the 2000 Annual Award from UCV and the 1994 Orinoquia PhD Thesis Award. His NIH-funded research (R21AR067422) explores optogenetic control of muscle excitability. Di Franco has advised numerous collaborators and published extensively in top journals, with notable contributions to understanding ion channel dysfunction in muscle disorders.

• Education: PhD in Cell Physiology (1991), Universidad Central de Venezuela; Bachelor's in Biology (1986), UCV.
• Research Interests: Optogenetic tools for muscle studies, calcium signaling, ion channel physiology, and skeletal muscle disorders.

Di Franco's work bridges electrophysiology, microscopy, and optogenetics to elucidate mechanisms underlying muscle diseases. His lab employs advanced techniques like two-photon imaging and FRET to study calcium microdomains and ion transport in muscle fibers. Recent studies highlight contributions to Andersen-Tawil syndrome, hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and heart failure-related muscle dysfunction.

• Awards: Over 10 awards from Venezuela's Ministry of Science and educational institutions for research excellence.
• Grants: NIH R21AR067422 (2014-2017) for optogenetic control of muscle excitability.

He collaborates with leading institutions, including UCLA's Department of Medicine and UC Davis, focusing on translational research in muscle physiology and disease mechanisms. Di Franco's lab also develops novel microelectrode technologies and imaging tools for ion activity studies in muscle fibers.