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  4. David Friel

David Friel, PhD

Associate Professor
Department of Neurosciences
School of Medicine

Research Information

Research Interests

I am interested in how cells communicate and process information through the use of systems of interacting signaling molecules, especially ion channels, and transporters. Behind this interest is a desire to understand how the signaling mechanisms expressed in cells extract information from their environment to facilitate higher order function of cell assemblies.

Specific research projects in which this general question has been explored include:

  1. Cellular Ca2+ signaling in neurons, specifically addressing how Ca2+ channels and transporters at the cell surface and within the membranes of internal stores interact functionally to orchestrate Ca2+ signals in response to stimulation
  2. The impact of ataxia-producing mutations in the gene encoding P/Q type Ca2+ channels on membrane excitability, synaptic transmission and circuit properties in the cerebellar cortex.

I hope my research will provide insight into basic mechanisms of intra- and intercellular-communication, and point to new and effective approaches for overcoming Ca2+ regulatory disorders in humans.

 

Publications

Selected Publications

  1. Ovsepian SV, Friel DD. (2010)
    . Cerebellum. 2010 Sept 16.
  2. Liu S, Friel DD. (2008)
    . J Physiol. 2008 Aug 14; 129(1):93-103.
  3. Ovsepian SV, Friel DD. (2008)
    . Eur J Neurosci. 2007 Dec 17; 27(1):93-103.
  4. Friel DD, Chiel HJ. (2008)
    . Trends Neurosci. 2007 Dec 4; 31(1):8-19.
  5. Patterson M, Sneyd J, Friel DD. (2007)
    . J Gen Physiol. 2007 Jan 1; 129(1):29-56.
  6. Jones SW, Friel DD. (2006)
    . Biophys J. 2006 Mar 1; 90(5):L39-L41.
  7. Albrecht MA, Colegrove SL, Friel DD. (2002)
    . J Gen Physiol. 2002 Mar; 119(3):211-233.
  8. Albrecht MA, Colegrove SL, Hongpaisan J, Pivovarova NB, Andrews SB, Friel DD. (2001)
    . J Gen Physiol. 2001 Jul; 118(1):83-100.
  9. Hongpaisan J, Pivovarova NB, Colegrove SL, Leapman RD, Friel DD, Andrews SB. (2001)
    . J Gen Physiol. 2001 Jul; 118(1):101-112.
  10. Colegrove SL, Albrecht MA, Friel DD. (2000)
    . J Gen Physiol. 2000 Mar; 115(3):371-388.
  11. Colegrove SL, Albrecht MA, Friel DD. (2000)
    . J Gen Physiol. 2000 Mar; 115(3):351-370.
  12. Pivovarova NB, Hongpaisan J, Andrews SB, Friel DD. (1999)
    . J Neurosci. 1999 Aug 1; 19(15):6372-84.
  13. Friel DD. (1995)
    . Biophys J. 1995 May; 68(5):1752-1766.

Reviews

  • Friel DD, Chiel HJ. (2008)
    . Trends Neurosci. 2007 Dec 4; 31(1):8-19.
  • Friel, DD. (2003)
    "Mitochondrial and ER-calcium uptake and release fluxes and their interplay in intact nerve cells." In: Understanding Calcium Dynamics, Lecture Notes in Physics. Eds. M. Falcke, H. Malchow. Springer, Berlin. 623:37-65.
  • Friel DD. (2000)
    . Cell Calcium. 2000 Nov-Dec; 28(5-6):307-316.
  • Friel DD. (1996)
    . Cell. 1996 May 31; 85(5):617-619.
  • Friel, DD. (1995)
    [Ca2+]i "Oscillations in neurons." In: Ciba Symposium No. 188: [Ca2+]i waves, gradients and oscillations. Wiley, Chichester.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy
University of Chicago