Synaptic Storms: Molecular Dynamics of EAATs in Neurological Disorders

Focusing on Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAATs), this project utilizes atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to uncover the mechanical failures behind epilepsy and ALS. By simulating the glutamate transport cycle at the nanosecond scale, we aim to visualize how specific mutations disrupt neurotransmitter clearance, leading to excitotoxicity and neuronal damage, thereby identifying new allosteric sites for drug intervention.