Patel, Manoj

Primary Appointment

Professor of Anesthesiology, Anesthesiology

Education

BS, Applied Biology, University of Coventry
PhD, Physiology, University of Coventry
Postdoc, Electrophysiology, University of Virginia
Postdoc, Electrophysiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England

Contact Information

Old Medical School
West Complex
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Telephone: 924-9693
Email: mkp5u@virginia.edu
Website: https://med.virginia.edu/manoj-patel-lab/

Research Disciplines

Biophysics, Molecular Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Translational Science

Research Interests

Understanding the cellular mechanisms by which seizures are initiated in SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy (DEE13) and temporal lobe epilepsy. My lab uses a number of experimental techniques including patch clamp electrophysiology and in vivo seizure monitor

Research Description

The Patel lab focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms by which seizures are initiated in SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy (DEE13). SCN8A EE is a severe genetic epilepsy syndrome caused by de novo mutations in the SCN8A gene, which codes for the voltage-gated sodium channel isoform Nav1.6. Our lab has two mouse models of patient-derived SCN8A mutations; N1768D (Scn8aD/+) which allows global heterozygous expression of the N1768D pathogenic Scn8a variant and a conditional mouse in which the expression of R1872W (Scn8aw/+) mutation is dependent on Cre recombinase. Using a variety of techniques including both in vivo and in vitro recordings to better understand the development and mechanisms of seizure initiation and seizure induced death (SUDEP) in these mice.