Martin Wallner Ph.D

My work focuses on the question why problems with nitrogen excretion leads to predominantly neurological problems, despite the brain being shielded from peripheral compounds by the blood-brain barrier. Currently we are working on the effects of guanidinoacteate (GAA), the precursor for creatine, that accumulates in patients with certain enzyme defects. We find that GAA can interfere with inhibitory neurotransmission by mimicking GABA on GABA(A) receptors, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in mammalian brains. I am also looking forward to contribute to the state-of-the-art gene therapy approaches developed in the Lipshutz lab.

In my free time I enjoy gardening and sports, like cycling, swimming and skiing in the beautiful local mountains around Los Angeles.