معرفی
Stephen Brohawn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley's College of Chemistry. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of ion channels and transporters involved in cellular electrical signaling, with particular emphasis on mechanosensation and sensory transduction.
His laboratory employs an integrated approach combining structural biology (cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography), electrophysiology, biophysics, and biochemistry to investigate how membrane proteins convert physical forces into cellular signals. Current research centers on force sensation mechanisms, particularly the molecular basis of touch, hearing, and pain transduction through ion channels like Piezo, TRP, and K2P families.
Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent focus on mechanosensitive channels (especially TRAAK), structural characterization of viral proteins (SARS-CoV-2), and development of optogenetic tools. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary integration of structural data with functional validation.
- NIH Director's New Innovator Award (2016)
- Sloan Research Fellowship (2020)
- NYSCF-Robertson Neuroscience Investigator (2017)
- McKnight Scholar Award (2017)
- Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship (2016)
Brohawn mentors numerous graduate students and postdocs, with trainees securing prestigious fellowships including NIH F32 awards. His lab has received significant funding from NIH, Fast Grants, and the Rennie Fund for Epilepsy. Current research directions include developing novel tools for sensory transduction studies and investigating lipid-protein interactions in channel gating.
