Richard Hume

Richard Hume is a Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). His research focuses on ligand-gated ion channels, particularly their roles in neurological diseases such as epilepsy and neurodegeneration. He leads the Hume Lab, which recently transitioned to studying ion channels in lysosome-related organelles within stomach parietal cells, in collaboration with Mohammed Akaaboune and Wanlu Du as co-PIs. The lab uses electrophysiological, biochemical, and imaging techniques, including studies of knockout mice. Hume has extensive expertise in P2X receptors and ATP signaling, with over four decades of publications in molecular neurobiology and ion channel function.

Current NIH-funded research investigates tubulovesicles' role in acid secretion, building on prior work by Haoxing Xu. Hume has advised numerous students and contributed to advancements in understanding synaptic transmission, axonal degeneration, and cellular stress responses. He is currently phasing into retirement and no longer accepting new students. Key collaborations include work on neuromuscular junctions, zebrafish models, and Drosophila genetics.

Research highlights include discoveries on zinc modulation of P2X receptors, mechanisms of Wallerian degeneration, and roles of TMEM175 in lysosomal physiology. His lab's interdisciplinary approach bridges molecular biology, electrophysiology, and genetic models to explore fundamental questions in neurobiology and cellular signaling.