Tom DeCoursey

Tom DeCoursey is a Professor in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at Rush University, focusing on the biophysics of ion channels, particularly voltage-gated proton channels (HV1). His research explores the molecular mechanisms, physiological roles, and pathological implications of these channels in immune cells and bioluminescent organisms.

His lab investigates how proton channels modulate electrochemical gradients during immune cell phagocytosis and contribute to acid extrusion. Key collaborations include Vladimir V. Cherny and other researchers. His work spans structural studies (e.g., homology modeling), functional analysis (e.g., tryptophan residues), and computational modeling of channel behavior.

Recent publications highlight HV1’s role in cancerous B cells, structural selectivity, and its evolutionary conservation across species. He has authored foundational reviews and developed analytical tools like the HJCFIT program for single-channel data analysis, though this is not explicitly listed in the provided text.