Dr. Cummins main interest is the physiology of ion channels and how they control the electrical activity of muscle and nerve cells.Ion channel mutations have been linked to several neurological and muscle disorders including epilepsy, pain and non-dystrophic myotonias. Hislab useselectrophysiological,molecular biological, biochemical, imaging and computer modeling techniques to study how specific ion channels contribute to excitability and pathophysiological conditions. We also are working to develop strategies for the treatment of disorders that involve ion channels.Therefore we explore the pharmacology of ion channels, investigatingsmall molecules, biological toxins and cannabinoids that can modulate ion channels and potential serve as candidate molecules for the development of new drugs.