Dr Denise Walker

Senior Scientist, Bill Schafer?s lab, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. A key focus of my research is the molecular and circuit basis of mechanosensation; the molecules responsible (innexins, degenerin/epithelial Na+ channels (DEG/ENaCs)) and protein interactions that modulate their function. C. elegans has 30 DEG/ENaCs, many of which remained uncharacterised. A second major focus is to characterise their channel properties and correlate these with cellular and behavioural functions, particularly with respect to the role of protons in cell signalling and plasticity. I love outreach. I have taken my ?Worms are cleverer than you think? activity to schools, science festivals, online (Worms (cam.ac.uk)) and even to a shopping centre. I am especially proud of a collaboration with dance, music and science students, who created a performance inspired by my research.