
The Hansen Lab studies ion channels in mechano-sensation and anesthesia. Numerous ion channels are gated by lipids in particular PIP2 and PA. We employ electrophysiology, membrane protein crystallography, and HTS drug screening to elucidate the role of lipid gating in pain and conciousness and find treatments for related diseases.

We have found that membrane phospholipids gate ion channels with classic agonist like properties. This gives rise to a class of “lipid gated” ion channels.