Biography
Dr. Baenziger received his Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa working with Dr. Ian C.P. Smith at the National Research Council of Canada, 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, respectively, where he began working on ligand-gated ion channels. Dr. Baenziger is currently a full professor at the University of Ottawa with a vibrant research lab focused on understanding the roles of synaptic receptors in human biology and disease, as well as the mechanisms of drug-receptor interactions. He is a committed teacher in the undergraduate Translational and Molecular Medicine program, with primary responsibility for TMM3102 Protein structure, function, and disease.
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
- A. Ananchenko, R.-Y. Gao, F. Dehez, J.E. Baenziger “State-dependent binding of cholesterol and an anionic lipid to the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor” Commun. Biol. - Nature (2024) 7(1):437 doi: 10.1038/s42003-024-06106-8
- M.J. Thompson, F. Mansoub Bekarkhanechi, A. Ananchenko, H. Nury, and J.E Baenziger “A release of local subunit conformational heterogeneity underlies gating in a muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor” Nat. Commun. (2024) 15(1):1803. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46028-x
- M. Nys, E. Zarkadas, M. Brams, A. Mehregan, K. Kambara, J. Kool, N.R. Casewell, D. Bertrand, J.E. Baenziger, H. Nury, C. Ulens “The molecular mechanism of snake short-chain α-neurotoxin binding to muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors” Nat. Commun. (2022) 13:4543, 1-12
- E. Zarkadas, E. Pebay-Peyroula, M.J. Thompson, G. Schoehn, T. Uchański, J. Steyaert, C. Chipot, F. Dehez, J.E. Baenziger, H. Nury “Conformational transitions and ligand-binding to a muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor” Neuron (2022) 110, 1358-1370
- M.J. Thompson & J.E. Baenziger “Ion channels as lipid sensors: from structures to mechanisms” Nat. Chem. Biol. (2020) 16:1331-1342
- C.M. Hénault, C. Govaerts, R. Spurny, M. Brams, A. Estrada, J. Lynch, D. Bertrand, E. Pardon, G. Evans, K. Woods, B.W. Elberson, L.G. Cuello, G. Brannigan, H. Nury, J. Steyaert, J.E. Baenziger & C. Ulens “A lipid site shapes the agonist response of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel” Nat. Chem. Biol (2019) 15: 1156-64
- C.J.B. daCosta, L. Dey, J.P.D. Therien & J.E. Baenziger “A novel mechanism for activating uncoupled nicotinic acetylcholine receptors” Nat. Chem. Biol. (2013)9, 701-707Highlighted in News and Views: Andersen, O.S. Nat. Chem. Biol. (2013) 9, 667-668