Harvard University · BiologyIon Channel Dynamics Lab
Bruce P Bean · Cambridge, Massachusetts
Research Focus
Dr. Bruce P. Bean's lab focuses on understanding how different types of ion channels in neurons work together to control how neurons fire. By studying the interactions between various channels, such as sodium, calcium, and potassium, the lab aims to design new drugs that can precisely target specific types of neurons involved in pain and epilepsy. This pioneering research could lead to more effective treatments for these conditions.
ion channelspainepilepsysodium channelscalcium channelspotassium channelsneuron excitabilitypharmacologydrug designneuroscience
Research Aims
5AIM 01Understand how ion channels regulate neuronal firing patterns.
AIM 02Characterize pharmacological agents targeting voltage-dependent channels.
AIM 03Design novel compounds to selectively inhibit or enhance neuron activity.
AIM 04Explore mechanisms behind pain and epilepsy in the nervous system.
AIM 05Investigate the interaction of channel types in different neuronal populations.
Skills the Lab Values
patch-clamp electrophysiologydrug discoverycell culturemolecular biology techniquesneuron modelingbuffer preparationWestern blotPCRneuroscience research methodsdata analysis
Output against the department
Publications183top 36% of dept.369th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations25ktop 15% of dept.154th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.