Cordero-Vásquez Lab
@cvlab.bsky.social
Pinned
Cordero-Vásquez Lab
@cvlab.bsky.social
· Nov 17
We’d like to reintroduce our lab! We are based at UTHealth Houston, where we focus on understanding how membrane lipids modulate the function of sensory ion channels. Happy to reconnect!
This work was a collaboration with Mat Baker (UTHealth Houston), the Chesler Lab @alexchesler.bsky.social (NIH), and the Sotomayor Lab (University of Chicago).
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January 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
This work was a collaboration with Mat Baker (UTHealth Houston), the Chesler Lab @alexchesler.bsky.social (NIH), and the Sotomayor Lab (University of Chicago).
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4. The pore-distal, N-terminal blade is dispensable for mechanoactivation: the intermediate isoform is not only functional, but also inactivates more slowly than the long isoform.
5. The intermediate isoform induces larger membrane deformation than the long isoform.
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5. The intermediate isoform induces larger membrane deformation than the long isoform.
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January 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
4. The pore-distal, N-terminal blade is dispensable for mechanoactivation: the intermediate isoform is not only functional, but also inactivates more slowly than the long isoform.
5. The intermediate isoform induces larger membrane deformation than the long isoform.
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5. The intermediate isoform induces larger membrane deformation than the long isoform.
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1. The longest isoform resembles a Mercedes-Benz steering wheel in top view.
2. The long and intermediate isoforms are semi-flattened and differ from the mammalian domes.
3. Multiple blade–cap contacts stabilize a “toggle-down” conformation.
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2. The long and intermediate isoforms are semi-flattened and differ from the mammalian domes.
3. Multiple blade–cap contacts stabilize a “toggle-down” conformation.
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January 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
1. The longest isoform resembles a Mercedes-Benz steering wheel in top view.
2. The long and intermediate isoforms are semi-flattened and differ from the mammalian domes.
3. Multiple blade–cap contacts stabilize a “toggle-down” conformation.
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2. The long and intermediate isoforms are semi-flattened and differ from the mammalian domes.
3. Multiple blade–cap contacts stabilize a “toggle-down” conformation.
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Briar and Angela (CV Lab) solved three structures from heavily spliced worm isoforms. Along the way —while solving the structures, characterizing their function, and evaluating effects on membrane curvature— we ran into several surprises:
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January 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Briar and Angela (CV Lab) solved three structures from heavily spliced worm isoforms. Along the way —while solving the structures, characterizing their function, and evaluating effects on membrane curvature— we ran into several surprises:
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The Cordero Vásquez Lab is starting the year on a high wheel (see below) with our latest work on the C. elegans PIEZO channel: “Structures of invertebrate PEZO-1 isoforms with a compact architecture and a dispensable pore-distal N-terminal blade”: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Structures of invertebrate PEZO-1 isoforms with a compact architecture and a dispensable pore-distal N-terminal blade
PIEZO channels are mechanosensitive ion channels conserved from plants to humans, yet structures exist for only a few mammalian orthologs. We define t…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The Cordero Vásquez Lab is starting the year on a high wheel (see below) with our latest work on the C. elegans PIEZO channel: “Structures of invertebrate PEZO-1 isoforms with a compact architecture and a dispensable pore-distal N-terminal blade”: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Thanks to our team members (Luis Romero, Manisha Bade, Sonia Paz-López) and collaborators (Elisa Carrillo, Vasanthi Jayaraman @frettinglab.bsky.social , Syed Hasan, William James Antonisamy, and Zahoor Shah) 6/6
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Thanks to our team members (Luis Romero, Manisha Bade, Sonia Paz-López) and collaborators (Elisa Carrillo, Vasanthi Jayaraman @frettinglab.bsky.social , Syed Hasan, William James Antonisamy, and Zahoor Shah) 6/6
Our results highlight cytoskeletal dysregulation as a key driver of ion channel and behavioral deficits, and suggest that actin-binding proteins may be targets to enhance motor coordination and spatial learning in AS. 5/6
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Our results highlight cytoskeletal dysregulation as a key driver of ion channel and behavioral deficits, and suggest that actin-binding proteins may be targets to enhance motor coordination and spatial learning in AS. 5/6
currents in hippocampal neurons, and improves rotarod and T-maze performance in AS mice. 4/6
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
currents in hippocampal neurons, and improves rotarod and T-maze performance in AS mice. 4/6
In Angelman syndrome (AS), disrupted F-actin affects mechanosensitive and glutamatergic signaling. We show that a first-in-class, selective cofilin inhibitor (SZ-3) stabilizes the actin cytoskeleton, increases cellular stiffness, restores PIEZO2 function in DRG neurons and glutamate-evoked 3/6
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
In Angelman syndrome (AS), disrupted F-actin affects mechanosensitive and glutamatergic signaling. We show that a first-in-class, selective cofilin inhibitor (SZ-3) stabilizes the actin cytoskeleton, increases cellular stiffness, restores PIEZO2 function in DRG neurons and glutamate-evoked 3/6
It was nicely highlighted by Paige McKeon in “This Week in The Journal: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 2/6
This Week in The Journal
Mechanistic Insight into Angelman Syndrome Treatments
Luis O. Romero, Manisha Bade, Elisa Carrillo, Sonia Paz-López, Syed A. M. Hasan et al.
(see article e0965252025)
People with Angelman syndrome...
www.jneurosci.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
It was nicely highlighted by Paige McKeon in “This Week in The Journal: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 2/6
Our new Journal of Neuroscience paper "Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome (AS)” is out: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 1/6
Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by motor coordination and cognitive deficits. In AS, hippocampal neurons show reduced filamentous (F-)actin, a decrease we also reported...
www.jneurosci.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Our new Journal of Neuroscience paper "Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome (AS)” is out: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 1/6
Reposted by Cordero-Vásquez Lab
Great series and this game7 was one of the greatest games Ive ever seen! Congrats Dodgers! Yamamoto has to be MVP of this series.
November 2, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Great series and this game7 was one of the greatest games Ive ever seen! Congrats Dodgers! Yamamoto has to be MVP of this series.
(TMC, the world’s largest medical complex). 2/2
October 21, 2025 at 9:47 PM
(TMC, the world’s largest medical complex). 2/2
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UTHealth Houston has an open search for a tenure-track faculty position. If you are ready (or know someone that is) to start looking for positions, this will be a great opportunity to join the Texas Medical Center. See flyer below. 1/2
October 21, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UTHealth Houston has an open search for a tenure-track faculty position. If you are ready (or know someone that is) to start looking for positions, this will be a great opportunity to join the Texas Medical Center. See flyer below. 1/2
Reposted by Cordero-Vásquez Lab
The Nobel Peace Committee sent a clear message to someone else in awarding the Prize to Ms. Machado:
”But democracy is also in retreat internationally. Democracy – understood as the right to freely express one’s opinion, …is the foundation of peace both within countries and between countries.” 👏
”But democracy is also in retreat internationally. Democracy – understood as the right to freely express one’s opinion, …is the foundation of peace both within countries and between countries.” 👏
October 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The Nobel Peace Committee sent a clear message to someone else in awarding the Prize to Ms. Machado:
”But democracy is also in retreat internationally. Democracy – understood as the right to freely express one’s opinion, …is the foundation of peace both within countries and between countries.” 👏
”But democracy is also in retreat internationally. Democracy – understood as the right to freely express one’s opinion, …is the foundation of peace both within countries and between countries.” 👏
Reposted by Cordero-Vásquez Lab
“The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 goes to a brave and committed champion of peace – to a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
Nobel Peace Prize 2025
The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 was awarded to Maria Corina Machado "for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transi...
www.nobelprize.org
October 10, 2025 at 11:39 AM
“The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 goes to a brave and committed champion of peace – to a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...
This study was a collaborative effort across multiple groups, led by our first graduate student, Dr.
Luis Octavio Romero, in partnership with graduate student Manisha Bade. 3/3
Luis Octavio Romero, in partnership with graduate student Manisha Bade. 3/3
October 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This study was a collaborative effort across multiple groups, led by our first graduate student, Dr.
Luis Octavio Romero, in partnership with graduate student Manisha Bade. 3/3
Luis Octavio Romero, in partnership with graduate student Manisha Bade. 3/3
PIEZO1 is abnormally overactive in sickle red blood cells (humans and mice). In mice, an EPA-enriched diet normalized PIEZO1 and reduced hemolysis, hypoxia-induced sickling, and downstream inflammation, suggesting a potential dietary strategy to support people living with sickle cell disease. 2/3
October 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
PIEZO1 is abnormally overactive in sickle red blood cells (humans and mice). In mice, an EPA-enriched diet normalized PIEZO1 and reduced hemolysis, hypoxia-induced sickling, and downstream inflammation, suggesting a potential dietary strategy to support people living with sickle cell disease. 2/3
Our new PNAS paper "Enhanced PIEZO1 function contributes to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease" is out: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 1/3
Enhanced PIEZO1 function contributes to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease | PNAS
Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the
β-globin gene, is characterized by sickle erythrocytes that are ...
www.pnas.org
October 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Our new PNAS paper "Enhanced PIEZO1 function contributes to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease" is out: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 1/3
Reposted by Cordero-Vásquez Lab
I’m so honored to be selected as both a 2025 McKnight Scholar and 2025 HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar. And I couldn’t be prouder to share these honors with awesome @ucdavis.bsky.social colleagues 💙💛💙💛
health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlin...
health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlin...
UC Davis researchers honored by McKnight and Howard Hughes Medical Institute
UC Davis faculty Sergey Stavisky, Theanne Griffith and Elisa Zhang receive prestigious early-career recognition from McKnight Endowment Fund and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
health.ucdavis.edu
June 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I’m so honored to be selected as both a 2025 McKnight Scholar and 2025 HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar. And I couldn’t be prouder to share these honors with awesome @ucdavis.bsky.social colleagues 💙💛💙💛
health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlin...
health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlin...
Reposted by Cordero-Vásquez Lab
Such fantastic news! Congratulations!
I’m so honored to be selected as both a 2025 McKnight Scholar and 2025 HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar. And I couldn’t be prouder to share these honors with awesome @ucdavis.bsky.social colleagues 💙💛💙💛
health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlin...
health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlin...
UC Davis researchers honored by McKnight and Howard Hughes Medical Institute
UC Davis faculty Sergey Stavisky, Theanne Griffith and Elisa Zhang receive prestigious early-career recognition from McKnight Endowment Fund and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
health.ucdavis.edu
June 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Such fantastic news! Congratulations!
Reposted by Cordero-Vásquez Lab
I spoke with Jade Hindmon, host of @kpbssandiego.bsky.social Midday Edition, about the consequences of the current administration’s cuts to science funding. Please share to help spread the word and raise awareness.
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpb...
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpb...
Nobel laureate on how Trump's cuts are hurting science
Neuroscientist, biologist and 2021 Nobel Prize winner Ardem Patapoutian joined Midday Edition to talk about how the Trump administration's effort to cut back on science spending is impacting researche...
www.kpbs.org
June 19, 2025 at 12:27 AM
I spoke with Jade Hindmon, host of @kpbssandiego.bsky.social Midday Edition, about the consequences of the current administration’s cuts to science funding. Please share to help spread the word and raise awareness.
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpb...
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpb...
Reposted by Cordero-Vásquez Lab
Reposted by Cordero-Vásquez Lab
Colorado's Rep Brittany Pettersen (D) flew cross-country with her one-month-old to vote against the GOP budget tonight. Dems ended up one vote short. Pettersen was part of an unsuccessful bipartisan push to allow new mothers to vote remotely. #copolitics
February 26, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Colorado's Rep Brittany Pettersen (D) flew cross-country with her one-month-old to vote against the GOP budget tonight. Dems ended up one vote short. Pettersen was part of an unsuccessful bipartisan push to allow new mothers to vote remotely. #copolitics