Stephen Brohawn

Stephen Brohawn is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of BIO. His research focuses on the sensation of environmental stimuli, thought, learning, memory, and neuronal communication, with an emphasis on the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying cellular electrical signals. The Brohawn laboratory investigates ion channels, transporters, and their regulatory complexes, particularly their roles in mechanosensation and electrical signaling. His work employs structural biology, electrophysiology, biophysics, and biochemistry to explore how these proteins function and are regulated. Current projects include understanding force sensation and developing tools to study mechanosensitive ion channels.

Stephen G Brohawn is an Associate Professor in Molecular Neuroscience, Biophysics, and Structural Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of ion channel function, particularly mechanosensitivity and lipid interactions in K+ channels. Brohawn's work includes structural studies of TRAAK and TREK1 channels, revealing how mechanical forces and lipid membranes modulate ion flow. He also investigates the structural basis of ion channel gating, using techniques like cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography. His research extends to viral proteins, such as SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a and M protein, and their interactions with lipid environments. Brohawn's contributions provide insights into the biophysical principles underlying cellular signaling and disease mechanisms.