Julio F. Cordero-Morales, Ph.D.
I received my B.A. in Cell Physiology from the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) in the laboratory of Dr. Pedro Romero; I focused my research on the role of stretch-activated calcium channels in human red blood cells. I obtained my Ph.D. in Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics from the University of Virginia in the laboratory of Dr. Eduardo Perozo. For my graduate studies, I investigated the role of the selectivity filter in potassium channels inactivation. During this time, I received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award (2007) from the University of Virginia and the Student Research Achievement Award (2008) from the Biophysical Society.
For my postdoctoral training, I joined the laboratory of Dr. David Julius (University of California, San Francisco) where I investigated the molecular basis of somatosensation with emphasis on the structure and function of sensory receptors. I was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Life Sciences Research Foundation, sponsored by Lilly Research laboratories.
My group's research focused on the study of the molecular principles underpinning the structure and function of sensory receptors using electrophysiological and biochemical techniques in combination with spectroscopical and structural approaches.
For my postdoctoral training, I joined the laboratory of Dr. David Julius (University of California, San Francisco) where I investigated the molecular basis of somatosensation with emphasis on the structure and function of sensory receptors. I was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Life Sciences Research Foundation, sponsored by Lilly Research laboratories.
My group's research focused on the study of the molecular principles underpinning the structure and function of sensory receptors using electrophysiological and biochemical techniques in combination with spectroscopical and structural approaches.
Valeria Vásquez, Ph.D.
I obtained my degree in Biology at the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) in 1999. My undergraduate thesis research at the Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA) under the supervision of Dr. María Angélica Santana was focused on the immunolocalization of linamarase, an enzyme responsible for the release of cyanide in cassava plants. During my thesis research, I mastered many techniques that included molecular biology, biochemistry, and electron microscopy.
I obtained my Ph.D. in Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics from the University of Virginia while working in the laboratory of Dr. Eduardo Perozo. During this time, I was able to depict the conformational changes that the mechanosensitive channel, MscS from E. coli, undergoes under membrane tension. My research contributed to our understanding of how prokaryotic membrane proteins detect mechanical forces, a universal mechanism common to all cells. I achieved these goals by combining different biochemical and biophysical approaches: membrane protein expression and purification, proteo-liposome and spheroplast patch-clamp, in vivo functional assays, and spectroscopy.
For my postdoctoral training I joined the laboratory of Dr. Miriam B. Goodman at Stanford University. During this period, I worked with the mechano-electrical transduction channel complex present in C. elegans touch receptor neurons. I found that arachidonic acid-containing phospholipids are essential for normal touch sensation. Additionally, I acquired expertise in the following techniques: classical genetics, optogenetics, two-electrode voltage-clamp, in vivo whole-cell recording, and eukaryotic protein expression and purification.
My laboratory's research is focused to understand the functional and structural basis of mechano-dependent gating of the ion channels responsible for touch, pain, and proprioception.
I obtained my Ph.D. in Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics from the University of Virginia while working in the laboratory of Dr. Eduardo Perozo. During this time, I was able to depict the conformational changes that the mechanosensitive channel, MscS from E. coli, undergoes under membrane tension. My research contributed to our understanding of how prokaryotic membrane proteins detect mechanical forces, a universal mechanism common to all cells. I achieved these goals by combining different biochemical and biophysical approaches: membrane protein expression and purification, proteo-liposome and spheroplast patch-clamp, in vivo functional assays, and spectroscopy.
For my postdoctoral training I joined the laboratory of Dr. Miriam B. Goodman at Stanford University. During this period, I worked with the mechano-electrical transduction channel complex present in C. elegans touch receptor neurons. I found that arachidonic acid-containing phospholipids are essential for normal touch sensation. Additionally, I acquired expertise in the following techniques: classical genetics, optogenetics, two-electrode voltage-clamp, in vivo whole-cell recording, and eukaryotic protein expression and purification.
My laboratory's research is focused to understand the functional and structural basis of mechano-dependent gating of the ion channels responsible for touch, pain, and proprioception.
