Erik Hammes, M.S., Ph.D.

Erik Hammes

Director of Electrophysiology Training, Arrhythmia Technologies

  • Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group
  • Major Professor: Johannes Hell

Research Description

Erik’s LaMP research project focused on determining the cellular, as well as cognitive, effects of the unique β2-AR-AMPAR-Gs-AC-cAMP-PKA signaling complex, which had been discovered by the Hell lab, on memory. Specifically, he studied the cellular regulation of AMPA receptors by norepinephrine signaling through this molecular complex, and its relationship to the induction of long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. He utilized electrophysiology to record field potentials in the hippocampus of acute mouse brain slices and he collaborated with a fellow graduate student in the lab to perform behavioral testing on relevant transgenic mice. The tests included Morris Water Maze and 5-choice serial reaction time task.

Education and Degree(s)
  • BS in Bioengineering from Clemson University -2012
  • MS in Bioengineering from University of Illinois at Chicago -2014
  • Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering -2020
Publications
  • Buonarati OR, Hammes EA, Watson JF, Greger IH, Hell JW. (2019) Mechanisms of postsynaptic localization of AMPA-type glutamate receptors and their regulation during long-term potentiation. Sci Signal. 12(562). pii: eaar6889. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.aar6889. PMCID: PMC7175813
  • Patriarchi T, Qian H, Di Biase V, Malik ZA, Chowdhury D, Price JL, Hammes EA, Buonarati OR, Westenbroek RE, Catterall WA, Hofmann F, Xiang YK, Murphy GG, Chen CY, Navedo MF, Hell JW. (2016) Phosphorylation of Cav1.2 on S1928 uncouples the L-type Ca2+ channel from the β2 adrenergic receptor. EMBO J. 35(12):1330-45. doi: 10.15252/embj.201593409. PMCID: PM