Dr. John Baenziger

Dr. John Baenziger
Dr. John Baenziger
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology

BSc: Queen's University
PhD: University of Ottawa
Post-Doctoral Fellow: Harvard Medical School and Boston University

Room
Roger Guindon Hall, 4216 (office), 4215/4217 (lab)
Phone
613-562-5800 ext. 8222 (Office)
613-562-5800 ext. 8168 (Lab)


Biography

Dr. Baenziger received his Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa working with Dr. Ian C.P. Smith, a pioneer in the use of NMR to study both biological membranes and human disease.  He undertook an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship jointly at Harvard Medical School and Boston University with Drs. Keith Miller and Kenneth Rothschild, where he began working on ligand-gated ion channels.  Dr. Baenziger is currently a full professor at the University of Ottawa. 

Research Expertise and Interests

Neurobiology, structural biology, biophysics, receptor pharmacology

Description of Research

Rapid communication at synapses is mediated by ligand-gated ion channels, which convert the binding of a neurotransmitter into a transient flux of ions across the post-synaptic membrane to generate an action potential in the post-synaptic neuron or muscle cell. Research in the Baenziger lab is centered on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic communication, which are implicated in both complex neurological processes, such as memory and learning, and neurological/neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, mood disorders, epilepsy, addiction, congenital myasthenic syndromes, myasthenia gravis, etc.  The primary target of his research is the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR).  The Baenziger lab uses a range of biophysical techniques, including cryo-electron microscopy, electrophysiology, fluorescence spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations to understand both the molecular basis of ligand-gated ion channel function and the pharmacology of receptor-drug interactions.  The long-term goal of this research is to develop new approaches to promoting human health and treating human disease. 

Select Publications

Research interests

  • Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
  • Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels
  • Synaptic communications
  • Membrane protein structure and function
  • Lipid-protein interactions
  • Cryo-electron microscopy
  • Biophysics
  • Electrophysiology
  • Muscle myopathies
  • Biochemistry