Ewan St. John Smith

Ewan St. John Smith is a Fellow at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences and the Department of Pharmacology. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which sensory neurones detect noxious stimuli, known as nociceptors, and how their properties change from health to disease. His work encompasses pain sensory neurophysiology, ion channel biophysics, and employs techniques such as whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, Ca2+ imaging, and molecular biology. His research themes include the study of nociception and related physiological processes.

Ewan St. John Smith is a researcher in neuropharmacology, focusing on pain mechanisms and ion channels. His work explores the molecular and cellular basis of nociception, including the role of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and their modulation by factors like nitric oxide and arachidonic acid. Smith investigates how ion channels contribute to pain perception and resistance, as seen in the African naked mole-rat, which exhibits unique traits such as acid insensitivity and selective pain insensitivity. His research also examines the function of mechanoinsensitive nociceptors and the role of nerve growth factor in nociception. Additionally, he studies the genetic and molecular underpinnings of pain-related adaptations, including the impact of somatic mutation rates and glycolytic pathways on anoxia resistance.