Peters Lab

From Ion Channels to Behavior at the University of Illinois at Chicago

The Peters Lab, in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, is interested in the neurobiology of nicotine dependence spanning from genes to behaviors. We are especially focused on how the function, regulation, and distribution of members of the ion channel superfamily of proteins are responsible for initiating nicotine seeking or avoidance behaviors, and the response of this superfamily to the presence of nicotine. We utilize a variety of chemigenetic techniques to probe the neurocircuitry physiology as it relates to nicotine behaviors, including in vitro electrophysiology and in vivo fiber photometry.

Gauri Kulkarni and Dr. Peters traveled to Los Angeles, CA for the Biophysical Society Annual Meetings in February 2025. Gauri presented a poster on her graduate research: An orthosteric ligand binding site in the accessory subunit of α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors is revealed by covalent modification. Dr. Peters also presented a poster on his lab's work: Discovery of an antinociceptive α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist by stable receptor expression.

We were unanimously voted Lab of the Year at the 2024 Anatomy and Cell Biology Holiday Party! This award is given to those who make our departmental administrative staffs lives the easiest. Go us!

Our graduate researcher Gauri Kulkarni and Dr. Peters attended the 67th Biophysical Society Annual Meeting on February 18, 2023 in San Diego, California. Gauri presented a poster on her latest data: Interacting effects of nicotine exposure and chaperone proteins on stoichiometry of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Chris Peters' receipt of the Anatomy & Cell Biology Rising Star award on November 16, 2022. Nominees for this award are selected based on their strong potential to be future leaders in their chosen field. Congrats, Chris!

The ceremony can be viewed here.

Shout out to our undergraduate students Patricia Rivera and Aakash Singh on their successful capstone project posters for the Honors College Undergraduate Research Forum 2022! Well done!