Cecilia Bouzat
University of the South, Argentina

Editor, Channels, Transporters, and Receptors
Biophysical Journal

What are you currently working on that excites you?

I am dedicated to understanding the molecular foundations of activation and drug modulation of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels, particularly nicotinic acetylcholine and serotonin receptors. I find it fascinating to explore how these proteins transduce chemical signals into electrical responses within cells and how this intricate mechanism can be altered by diseases and pharmacological agents. These channels facilitate rapid responses in the nervous system and play essential roles in various physiological processes, such as voluntary muscle contraction, cortical excitability, cognition, attention, and reward. Their dysfunction is linked to neurological, neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, developing targeted drugs offers significant therapeutic potential. By understanding how these channels function at the molecular level, we can pave the way for medical innovations that have the potential to transform and enhance human health.

What has been your most exciting discovery as a biophysicist?

Throughout my career, I’ve experienced numerous stimulating discoveries. One particularly impactful moment occurred during my postdoctoral research at the Mayo Clinic. I was investigating nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels involved in muscle contraction, specifically examining their function in patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes. I vividly recall the day I first recorded channels from a patient by using patch-clamp techniques. The channels exhibited prolonged opening and behaved markedly differently from those in healthy individuals, which astonished me. A single mutation induced an alteration in channel kinetics that led to a severe neuromuscular disorder. This experience underscored how such techniques can elucidate disease mechanisms and guide the development of therapeutic interventions to correct abnormal channel function.