Friday Seminar – Cheng-Chang “Maxo” Chen

Endolysosomal ion channels, such as TRPML2 and TPC2, are essential regulators of intracellular trafficking, calcium signaling, and immune responses. This presentation highlights the importance of these channels and focuses on the use of theendolysosomal patch-clamp technique, a highly specialized method for investigating ion channel activity within endolysosomal membranes. Through this approach, we gain precise insights into the mechanisms by which these ion channels regulate various cellular processes, including vesicular trafficking and pathogen defense. The endolysosomal patch-clamp technique has proven invaluable in studying the roles of multiple ion channels, offering significant implications for understanding their contributions to human diseases, including innate immunity and neurodegenerative diseases. This presentation will underscore how this methodology advances the exploration of ion channel function and informs potential therapeutic strategies for a range of diseases.