Glutamate-gated ion channels (or ionotropic glutamate receptors), the primary mediators of excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain, play key roles in synapse development, learning and memory, and highly implicated in a number of acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. These glutamate receptors are broadly divided into three subtypes: AMPA, kainate and NMDA; each consisting of several homologous subunits that assemble as tetramers in various subunit combinations to create channels with distinct properties. Currently, it is well established that the ability of neurons to dynamically modulate the strength of synaptic transmission plays key roles in the establishment of mature neuronal networks and in learning and memory. This process involves changes in the glutamate receptor expression and composition, synaptic delivery and localization as well as the unitary ion-channel function. Therefore, elucidating the structure and function​ of these protein complexes is central to understanding synaptic physiology in health and disease. In my laboratory, we combine tools of heterologous gene expression, whole-cell and patch-clamp electrophysiology, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology to study receptor assembly, trafficking, ion-channel gating, and the regulation of these processes by auxiliary proteins.​