Mariah R. Baker, PhD

Areas of Interest

Research Interests

Ion Channels, Structural studies, Electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM), Atomic modeling from cryo-EM density maps

Ca²⁺ ions exert a profound influence on vital physiological processes. One major player driving the Ca²⁺ signal is the Ca²⁺ release channel, inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R), present natively in nearly all human cells. IP₃Rs act as a signaling hub for multiple inputs to finely tune the Ca²⁺ signal and its dysregulation deeply impacts health with critical roles in cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. While IP₃Rs are highly regulated signal integrators, the molecular mechanism governing their regulation is not well understood. High-resolution structural information is key to understanding IP₃R function in Ca²⁺ signaling and Ca²⁺ channel diseases. Therefore, we utilize a multidisciplinary approach that includes biochemical and biophysical characterization, single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM), computational methods, molecular modeling and bioinformatics to define the molecular interactions regulating IP₃R function.