Ion channels and Transporters (ICTs) regulate key aspects of intracellular signaling, cell physiology and gene expression in the immune system. These membrane proteins have emerged as control switches for electrical signals that shape the immunological and inflammatory responses during infection, cancer and autoimmune diseases. However, in contrast to excitable cell types such as neurons and cardiomyocytes, our understanding of electrical signaling in the immune system is in its nascent stages. Historically, the modern frameworks of both immunology and ion channel physiology have evolved with their own distinct underpinnings of concepts and methods – and this divide is further exacerbated by dauntingly specialized parlance of both fields. Since ICTs have proven to be excellent drug targets, this striking deficit in our knowledge and research effort is a clearly missed opportunity in basic immunology as well its clinical applications.
The Ion Channels and Transporters in Immunity (ICTI) research program at NYU aims to promote research on ionic signaling mechanisms in immunity and inflammation. The program has a significant basic science discovery component that builds on institutional strengths in areas including ion channel physiology, structural biology, immunology, inflammation and metabolism. The ICTI program has multiple components that interlace to promote basic and preclinical research, as well as education. These include (i) the Ion Laboratory (IonLab) core facility, which provides electrophysiology support services to the ICTI program as well as labs at NYU and in the NYC metro area; (ii) a research seminar series, (iii) work-in-progress meetings of labs participating in the ICTI program, (iv) an Ion channels & transporters graduate course, (v) a seed funding mechanism for new ICTI focused research projects; (vi) symposia and conferences. A long-term goal of the ICTI program is to merge basic science discoveries with their translation into new treatment approaches for immunological disorders in partnership with the Judith and Stewart Colton Center for Autoimmunity and the Perlmutter Cancer Center.