John Hanrahan

Our main goal is to understand epithelial chloride transport at the molecular level.  Most of our effort focuses on CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), a low-conductance channel which mediates cAMP-stimulated chloride and bicarbonate secretion and is defective in the disease cystic fibrosis.  We use site-directed mutagenesis, electrophysiological and imaging methods to study the structure and function of CFTR in heterologous expression systems, cell lines, and primary epithelial cell cultures.  A recent emphasis has been the development of F508del-CFTR correctors for the treatment of CF. Other projects investigate the role of CFTR in mucus production and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.