Heer Nanda L&S Biological Sciences
Probing the structure and function of channelrhodopsin HulaCCR
I am studying the structure and function of a recently discovered channelrhodopsin (ChR) called HulaCCR. HulaCCR is a bacteriorhodopsin-like cation ChR (BCCR), found in Lake Hula, Israel. Using cation-conducting channelrhodopsin (CCRs), such as Hula, in optogenetics allows scientists to use light to control the activity of neurons. However, there is little structural information known about HulaCCR, limiting our ability to rationally engineer its properties for optogenetic approaches. To better understand this novel BCCR, I will be testing the effect of mutations on HulaCCR channel properties. Using inverse PCR, I have introduced a mutation (T180A) analogous to a T119A mutation previously described for the BCCR ChRmine, which accelerates ChRmine closing rate without affecting its light sensitivity. Additionally, since this is a newly discovered ChR with only predicted structures, I will use cryo-EM techniques to determine the first structure of HulaCCR. The combination of electrophysiology and structural biology approaches will allow for a detailed understanding of HulaCCR structure-function interactions, which can be used to develop novel optogenetic approaches.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you so much for supporting my research this summer! Thanks to your support, I was able to explore the structure and function of HulaCCR, a newly discovered light-sensitive protein. This experience has deepened my passion for structural biology and research, and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to grow and challenge myself. I also aim to work on this project throughout my last year at Cal, and I can’t thank you enough for your support!