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Faculty Profile Last Modified Time: 07:44:52 AM Fri, 20 Jul 2018   Contact Information Kartik Venkatachalam Associated Profiles  Associate Professor, Developmental Biology, UT Health Science Center at Houston   Medical School Building, Room No.: 4.214    kartik.venkatachalam@uth.tmc.edu     713.500.7504    Web Link    Lab Webpage    Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Neurodegeneration, Signal Transduction, Cellular Neuroscience, Signaling, Synapses, Synaptic Transmission, Molecular Neurobiology, Autophagy, Calcium Signaling, Synaptic Physiology    Associated Profiles Professional Preparation Research and Expertise Affiliations Appointments  Professional Preparation  Degree Major Institution Year  PhD Biochemistry University of Maryland School of Medicine 2002  Research and Expertise Research Interests   Every organism needs to adapt to changes in its environment to ensure optimal growth and survival. In eukaryotes, the nervous system is responsible for gathering and processing information concerning changes in both the internal and external environments. To achieve this vital task, all organisms employ a variety of sensory modalities. The gathered information is deciphered and processed via complex circuits; ultimately allowing the organism to respond in a manner which is best suited for its survival and growth under the changing conditions. Elucidation of the molecular pathways, signaling networks and neuronal circuits involved in this pas de deux between an organism's environment and its survival is the long-term interest of our laboratory. TRP channels constitute a super-family of cation channels conserved from yeast to humans. A unifying theme in the physiology of this remarkable family of proteins is that they play fundamental roles in sensory transduction. Not only do they allow organisms to detect changes in the external environment by mediating the classical Aristotelian senses of taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing, but they also allow individual cells and even intracellular organelles to respond to changes in their local environment! Therefore, it is not surprising that many human diseases arise due to mutations affecting TRP channel function. In our laboratory, we study the physiological functions of TRP channels using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. Using a plethora of genetic and cell biological tools available for studying the neurobiology of Drosophila, we are engaged in understanding how these channels sense and transmit information to the nervous system. In addition to identifying the mechanisms involved in channel activation and regulation, we hope to map the neuronal circuits that utilize these channels.  Publications/Creative Works Click here to search for this faculty member's publications on PubMed.  Affiliations  Research Consortia Gulf Coast Consortium for Translational Pain Research  Appointments Title Department / School Institution Associate Professor Developmental Biology UT Health Science Center Houston

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