Christopher N. Johnson

Christopher N. Johnson

Classification

  • Faculty

Discipline

  • Biochemistry

Research Summary

Developing descriptions of ion channel biophysics & understanding how accessory proteins and enzymes aid or impair ion conduction.

Techniques that we commonly use: Molecular Dynamic Simulations, Recombinant Protein Production, Solution NMR, X-ray Crystallography, Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry, Whole Cell Patch Clamp Electrophysiology, and Calcium Imaging of Isolated Cardiomycoytes.

Title

  • Assistant Professor

Contact

cn.johnson@chemistry.msstate.edu
662-325-3584

Address

  • Hand Lab 2238

The Johnson Laboratory: From Atoms to Hearts to Health (AH2)

We study atoms to understand hearts and improve human health.

 

lab photo
Dr. Johnson is a structural biologist that utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to understand how calcium sensitive proteins and enzymes modify or tune the function of ion channels. Working at the interface of science and medicine, his research combines structural biology, biophysics, and electrophysiology to understand how the intracellular calcium sensing protein “calmodulin” senses changes in calcium concentration and modifies protein-protein interactions. Their team is actively investigating how ion channel - accessory protein interactions, post-tranlational modification and local environment help or hinder an ion to pass through a channel pore.   By developing a detailed understanding of structure (NMR), function (whole cell patch clamp), and timing (stopped-flow), they seek to: (i) understand mechanisms that govern physiology, and genetically driven channelopathies, (ii) develop small molecule probes that test their models, and (iii) explore novel strategies for treating excitable cell disease.

CNJ LAB

A newly renovated fishbowl style office allows Dr. Johnson to stay in the lab and work with his team at the bench.

Office 1

An open floor concept arrangement allows team members to routinely interact with other aspects of each project. This encourages integration of technique and interdisciplinary data awareness.

Lab e phys

Specialized microscopes allow for investigation of ion channel function and calcium signaling.

NMR facilities

A new 800MHz NMR joins the fleet (600MHz, 500 MHz and 300 MHz), and opens up new opportunities for advanced structural and biophysical characterization.

NMR_TRAINING

Research in progress in the newly renovated Johnson lab. The team dissects NMR assignment data to gain insight into how the local environment surround a sodium channel can influence the function in a heart.

 

RFG_PATCHING

Rita Gyawu fabricating patch pipets that she will use to measure the electrical currents from sodium channels in a cell. Rita is pursuing her Ph.D. in the Johnson laboratory where she is investigating how subtle changes in protein sequence can cause sodium channels in the heart to behave differently compared to those in the brain.

TA_CELL_CUTLURE

Taylor Agee working in the laboratoies newly constructed cell culture room where she is transfecting Human Embyronic Kidney Cells with enginered sodium channels to understand how pH influences channel gating.

GK_NB

Garrett Knotts and Nolan Binion sorting through literature to understand what other scientists have figured about how enzymes modify the function of a sodium channel in the heart.

MNA_CA

 

Afsar Alam measuring calcium inside heart cells to understand the downstream effects of sodium channel modification, as well the implications of postranslational modification by kinases and phosphatases.

 

 

 

Taylor Agee, Graduate Student Scientist

Taylor Agee

Originally from Huntsville Alabama, I’m in my third year of the Ph.D. program in the Johnson lab at Mississippi State University. My training is focused on CRISPR editing and working with pluripotent stem-cells. I have sucessfully differentiated these into cardiomyocytes.   My long-term goals are to complete my Ph.D. and work in a medical research field that has translational implications.

Fun fact: Member / Coach of the MSU dance team.
Hobbies: Running

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Md Nure Alam Afsar, Graduate Student Scientist

Afsar Alam

I am originally from Bangladesh. Following completion of my bachelors and master’s degrees (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) at The University of Dhaka I obtained 5 years of research experience at The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research. ICDDR, is an international health research organization dedicated to saving lives through research and treatment. In Jan of 2021 I relocated to Mississippi State University to enhance my scientific skills. During the past three years in the Johnson laboratory I developed my ability to isolate mouse cardiomyocytes by Langendorph perfusion and measure calcium release using confocal microscopy. My long-term dream is to lead a research team within a pharmaceutical or biotech company.

Fun fact: Loves Cricket.
Hobbies: Hiking and traveling

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Rita Gyawu , Graduate Student Scientist

Rita Gyawu

I am from Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana and have completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). I am part of the Johnson lab for my graduate studies at Mississippi State University. My research uses both solution NMR spectroscopy and whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology to understand how ion channels located in different parts of the body each respond to changes to calcium concentration.  In 10 years, I’d like to be a scientist in an biotech company or academic lab where I can drive health related projects that make an impact.

Fun fact: Loves to sing in the shower.
Hobbies: Reading, dancing and listen to music.

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Sara Garcia , Graduate Student Scientist

Sara Garcia

I joined the Johnson Laboratory in Fall of 2022. After relocating from Colorado, I started developing my ability to assign NMR resonance frequencies. I am now learning how to express and purify recombinant protein and will acquire training in isolating mouse cardiomycoytes. My long term goals include merging biophysical and cellular science in unique ways to aid the fight against cancer. What I like most about the Johnson lab is the ability to speak into my projects. This is allowing me to develop a unique range of skills that will pave a pathway to my future goals as an independent scientist.

Fun fact: 
Hobbies:

 

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Justin Lovett , Graduate Student Scientist

Justin Lovett

I am excited to develop my skills as an NMR spectroscopist. Currently I am learning how to assign NMR resonance frequencies. I will then build upon these skills to utilize  ab intio structure calculations to characterize components of ion channels and their interactions with accessory proteins.

Fun fact: enjoys playing the piano & organ
Hobbies: golf and being outdoors

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Ruby Akter Mahmuda , Graduate Student Scientist

Since joining the Johnson lab in the January of 2024 I have been learning the process for  isolating cardiomyocytes . My research uses confocal microscopy to characterize the effects of an anti cancer plant extract on calcium handling in conditions that simulate healthy and diseased heart cells.

Photo coming soon

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Randy Appiah , Graduate Student Scientist

As the newest member of the Johnson laboratory graduate student scientist team I am learning how to isolate individual cardiomyocytes from a beating mouse heart.

Photo coming soon

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Spencer Lile, Undergraduate Student Scientist

Haley Waltman Undergraduate Student Scientist

Carlie Willingham, Undergraduate Student Scientist

 

Laboratory Alum

Luke Losordo Undergraduate Student Scientist

Emily Campbell, Undergraduate Student Scientist

Garrett Knotts, Undergraduate Student Scientist

Kelsei Elmoore, Undergraduate Student Scientist

Nolan Binion, 2022 Undergraduate Summer Researcher

Bailey Herring, Joint-Graduate Student Scientist

Torien M. Beard, Joint-Graduate Student Scientist

Ryan B. Williams, Graduate Student Scientist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Garret! Starting Graduate Studies at University of Florida

Congratulations to Emily! Starting Graduate Studies at University of Michigan

Congratulations to Luke!  Starting Medical School at University of Mississippi

 

 

Feb 2024: Johnson lab @ Biophysical Society Conference

2024 BPS

Congratulations to Garrett Knotts on his Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Award!

Congratulations to Garrett his recent Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Award!

 

 

 

Sept 2023: Dr. Christopher Johnson invited speaker for 5th interntional meeting of Turkish Biophysical Society

May 2023: Johnson Laboratory @ Heart Rhythm Society

2023_HRS

May 2023: Dr. Christopher Johnson invited speaker for University of Cincinnati "Rising Star Seminar Series"  Selected and hosted by University of Cincinnati Graduate Student Association

March 2023: Dr. Christopher Johnson invited speaker for Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, Wurzurg Germany

Feb 2023: Johnson lab @ 67th Biophsyical Society meeting

Jan 2023: A NEW 800 MHz NMR  https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2023/01/msu-faculty-garner-31-…

June 2022: Johnson lab @ International Society for Heart Research

Afsar Alam Presenting Research at 2022 ISHR World Congress in Berlin Germany

https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=6855

MNA_ISHR

June 2022: Congratulations to Taylor Agee, Rita Gyawu and Bailey Herring for having thier posters accepted for presentation at a Gordon GRS and GRC conference !!! 

May 2022: Rita Gyawu and Bailey Herring participating at the Vanderbilt University Integrated Applciation of Structural Biology Symposium

Feb 2022: Johnson lab @ 66th Biophyiscal Society Conference

BPS 2022

 

June 2021: Johnson lab in the News: https://www.wjtv.com/news/state/msus-christopher-johnson-receives-more-…