Achievements

Key Achievements

Opened the field of H+-coupled amino acid transporters by identifying SN1 (Cell 1999) and functionally characterizing several homologues (PNAS 2000, J Neurosci 2002). Demonstrated the existence of channel like activities within the transporter proteins (EMBO J 2001; J Cell Biol 2002). Demonstrated involvement of the amino acid transporter SAT2 in glutamatergic retrograde signaling (Cereb Cortex 2008b) and association of the homologous SAT1 with GABAergic neurotransmission (Front Neuroanat 2010). Demonstrated involvement of SN1 in pH homeostasis during chronic metabolic acidosis (J Am Soc Nephrol 2005), its membrane trafficking (J Neurosci 2011) and potential involvement in insulin release from pancreas (Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009). Showed that SN2 releases glutamine and glycine for neurotransmitter synthesis and NMDA regulation (Glia 2012). Identified the significance of a vesicular glutamate transporter, VGLUT3, and demonstrated potential for differential release of multiple transmitters from a single nerve terminal (PNAS 2003; J Comp Neurol 2004; Cereb Cortex 2008a). Contributed to the analysis of the first knock-out of a VGLUT, showing its importance for the maintenance of synaptic vesicles (Science 2004). High resolution quantitative electron microscopic localization of transporter proteins (Neuron 1995, J Biol Chem 1998; J Neurosci 1998, Neuron 2010). Successfully intervened therapeutically in a child with disturbed glutamine metabolism (OJRD 2012).

Published Dec. 12, 2014 1:12 PM - Last modified Jan. 22, 2015 11:37 AM