Luis F Lopez-Santiago
Associate Research Scientist
Pharmacology
Pharmacology
2301C MSRB III, 1150 W. Medical Center drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
[email protected]

Available to mentor

Luis F Lopez-Santiago
Associate Research Scientist
  • About
  • Links
  • Qualifications
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications
  • About

    Dr. Lopez-Santiago has been doing patch clamp electrophysiology for over 25 years, specializing in recording isolated ion currents and action potentials across various cell types to elucidate cellular excitability regulation mechanisms. His formal training in electrophysiology commenced during his Ph.D. studies, where he worked with cell lines and primary cultures under the guidance of Dr. Gabriel Cota. Subsequently, as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Lori Isom's laboratory at the University of Michigan, his expertise expanded through collaborations with numerous scientists. Over the years, Dr. Lopez-Santiago has worked extensively with various cell lines, acute dissociated neurons, cardiomyocytes, and iPSC-derived neurons, conducting a wide range of electrophysiological recordings. His expertise in electrophysiology has enabled successful collaborations with sodium channel biologicals and epilepsy experts such as Dr. Lori Isom, Dr. Jack Parent, and Dr. Miriam Meisler at the University of Michigan.

    Dr. Lopez-Santiago and his collaborators have utilized cell lines to express genetic mutations in the SCN1B gene, investigating the mechanisms through which these mutations modify sodium currents. Additionally, they have used mouse models to explore mutations in SCN1B, SCN1A, and SCN8A, which are associated with Dravet syndrome and other severe epileptic encephalopathies. Furthermore, they have utilized human iPSC-derived neurons from epileptic patients to study how these genetic mutations alter sodium current and excitability in distinct genetic backgrounds and various neuron types. Their research also includes pharmacological studies aimed at developing more personalized treatments for individual patients.

    Links
    • Isom Lab Website
    Qualifications
    • Postdoctoral
      Michigan Medicine, Pharmacology, 2007
    • PhD
      Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience. Center for Research and Advanced Studies of IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico, 2002
    • MS
      Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience. Center for Research and Advanced Studies of IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico, 1998
    • BSc
      School of Chemical Sciences; Benemeritus Autonomous University of Puebla, Puebla, 1994
    Research Overview

    Genetic epilepsy; the influence of mutations in sodium channel genes on neuronal and cardiac physiology.

    Recent Publications See All Publications
    • Journal Article
      Antisense oligonucleotides restore excitability, GABA signalling and sodium current density in a Dravet syndrome model.
      Yuan Y, Lopez-Santiago L, Denomme N, Chen C, O'Malley HA, Hodges SL, Ji S, Han Z, Christiansen A, Isom LL. Brain, 2024 Apr 4; 147 (4): 1231 - 1246. DOI:10.1093/brain/awad349
      PMID: 37812817
    • Journal Article
      Epilepsy and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in a mouse model of human SCN1B-linked developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
      Chen C, Ziobro J, Robinson-Cooper L, Hodges SL, Chen Y, Edokobi N, Lopez-Santiago L, Habig K, Moore C, Minton J, Bramson S, Scheuing C, Daddo N, Štěrbová K, Weckhuysen S, Parent JM, Isom LL. Brain Commun, 2023 5 (6): fcad283 DOI:10.1093/braincomms/fcad283
      PMID: 38425576
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      Abstract 12541: Development of a Transgenic Rabbit Model of Dravet Syndrome
      Ramos-Mondragon R, Chen C, Ziobro J, Chen Y, Wang S, Jimenez-Vazquez EN, Lopez-Santiago L, Parent J, Isom LL. Circulation, 2022 Dec 8; 146 (Suppl_1): a12541 - a12541. DOI:10.1161/circ.146.suppl_1.12541
    • Presentation
      Dravet Syndrome is more that changes on neuronal excitability; mechanism and possible treatment (In Spanish)
      2022 Jun 1;
    • Journal Article
      Neonatal Scn1b-null mice have sinoatrial node dysfunction, altered atrial structure, and atrial fibrillation.
      Ramos-Mondragon R, Edokobi N, Hodges SL, Wang S, Bouza AA, Canugovi C, Scheuing C, Juratli L, Abel WR, Noujaim SF, Madamanchi NR, Runge MS, Lopez-Santiago LF, Isom LL. JCI Insight, 2022 May 23; 7 (10): DOI:10.1172/jci.insight.152050
      PMID: 35603785
    • Presentation
      Dr. Luis Lopez-Santiago, sharing his story
      Lopez-Santiago L. 2022 Mar 10;
    • Chapter
      Voltage-gated ion channels.
      Isom LL, Patino G, Lopez-Santiago LF, Yuan Y. 2013 Neuroscience in the 21st century; from basic to clinical.,
    • Journal Article
      Sodium channel β1 subunits participate in regulated intramembrane proteolysis-excitation coupling.
      Bouza AA, Edokobi N, Hodges SL, Pinsky AM, Offord J, Piao L, Zhao Y-T, Lopatin AN, Lopez-Santiago LF, Isom LL. JCI Insight, 2021 Feb 8; 6 (3): DOI:10.1172/jci.insight.141776
      PMID: 33411695