George P. Hess

<TITLE>George P. Hess</TITLE> <CENTER><TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=TOP CELLPADDING=10> <TR> <TD VALIGN=TOP><table border=3 cellpadding=1><tr><td><IMG Align=TOP SRC="hess_picture1.JPEG" ></td></tr></table></TD> <TD VALIGN=MIDDLE><B><H2><CENTER>George P. Hess</CENTER></H2><HR> <H3>Professor of Biochemistry<BR> <A HREF="http://www.bio.cornell.edu/biochem/sofbiochem.html">Section of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology</A><BR> Cornell University</H3></TD> </TR> </TABLE> </CENTER> <HR> <BR> <BR><strong>Research Interests</strong><br> We are investigating the structure and function of membrane bound proteins (neuronal receptors) that control and integrate communication between the cells of the nervous system, whose malfunction are implicated in many diseases of the nervous system, and which are the targets of a large class of clinically important compounds and abused drugs. Until recently investigation of the mechanism of action of these receptor proteins has been hampered by techniques with adequate time resolution (microseconds to milliseconds). My group has developed new biophysical techniques, most recently a laser pulse photolysis method for investigating these receptors in cells isolated from specific areas of the nervous system, to fill this gap. When neurotransmitter binds to the active receptor forms, ion-conducting receptor-channels open, initiating electrical signals that transmit information in the nervous system. Whether or not a signal is transmitted depends on the concentration of open receptor-channels. This in turn depends on the neurotransmitter concentration and the length of time receptors are exposed to it. The immediate goal is to determine quantitative models, on a physiologically relevant time scale, for the chemical kinetic reactions of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmiter (acetylcholine, g-aminobutyric acid, (GABA), glycine, glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and serotonin receptors. It has already been achieved with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from the electric organ (modified muscle) of certain fish. The eventual aim is to integrate all the available information into a consistent mechanism of signal transmission in the mammalian central nervous system. The chemical mechanism of neurotransmitter receptor-mediated reactions is expected to set limits to the various hypotheses concerning the operation of neuronal circuits and brain function, and to lead to an understanding of the effects of pharmacological agents and abused drugs on receptor function.<P> An interdisciplinary approach, involving physical and organic chemistry, instrument development, molecular biology, electrophysiology, cellular neurobiology, and computer simulation, is being used to achieve these aims.<P> <A HREF = "Hess_CV.html">Curriculum vitae and selected publications</A><BR><P> <P> <CENTER><A HREF = "../cornell_pharmacology.html">Field of Pharmacology Home Page</A></CENTER> <BR> <HR> <BR> <TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP CELLPADDING=5> <TR> <TD VALIGN=TOP><IMG Align=Top SRC="../faculty_pictures/hess_low.jpeg"></A></TD> <TD VALIGN=MIDDLE> <PRE>George P. Hess Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology 216 Biotechnology Building Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853 USA <a href=mailto:gph2@cornell.edu>e-mail</a>: gph2@cornell.edu phone: 607-255-4809 FAX: 607-255-2428 </PRE> </TD> </TR> </TABLE>