Team

Stefan Feske, MD

Q: What is the mission of the Ion Channels and Transporters in Immunity Research Program?

SF: The ICTI Research Program aims to investigate the roles of ion channels and transporters (ICTs) in the immune system. While these proteins have been extensively studied in other scientific fields, their significance in immunity is still not fully understood. Our goal is to bridge this gap, leveraging existing strengths in ion channel physiology and immunology research at NYU Langone Health to explore how ICTs regulate immune responses.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face in researching ion channels and transporters in immunity?

SF: One of the main challenges is the complexity of the immune system itself. There are numerous ICTs with diverse roles, and elucidating their specific functions in different immune contexts requires interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative techniques. Additionally, there’s a need for increased awareness and funding in this relatively untapped field of research.

Q: Can you talk about the role of the Ion Laboratory (IonLab) in supporting the research within the ICTI program?

SF: The IonLab is a core facility that provides essential electrophysiology support to our researchers and the broader NYU Langone community. Under the leadership of Soomin C. Song, PhD, the IonLab enables us to study the functional properties of ion channels and transporters across various cell types, playing a vital role in advancing our research capabilities.

Q: As the director, how do you promote interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers within the program?

SF: We encourage collaboration through various initiatives, including hosting in-person and virtual seminars, symposia, work-in-progress meetings and bi-annual conferences where researchers can share their findings and ideas. Additionally, we offer annual pilot awards to facilitate research in the field and promote partnerships between different labs that have complementary expertise. This support is vital for tackling the complex questions we’re addressing in immunity research.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future

of the ICTI program and its impact on the field of

immunology?

SF: I hope the ICTI program will lead to a deeper understanding of ICTs in immune responses, ultimately contributing to novel therapeutic strategies. I envision our research paving the way for targeted treatments that can improve patient outcomes in autoimmune diseases and inflammation. The potential is vast, and I’m excited to see how our discoveries will translate into real-world applications.