Lindy Hop routine about the TRPV1 ion channel

My dance partner, Michael Richters, and I dance a routine that we choreographed to illustrate my research on TRPV1 ion channels. TRPV1 channels are proteins in the cell membrane of neurons that innervate the skin. Upon sensing hot temperature, they open a pore that lets ions cross the membrane and thereby generate an electrical signal. This signal is eventually transmitted to the brain, generating a painfully hot message. Anecdotally, TRPV1 channels are also activated (opened) by the capsaicin chemical found in chili peppers, explaining their hot taste. My lab's long term goal is to determine the three-dimensional structure of TRPV1 to understand how it functions. In the process, we have discovered mechanisms involved in TRPV1 desensitization, when it is inactivated over time, through closure of the pore, even in the presence of an activating signal.

In our routine, we use three American dances from the 1920s and 1930s that are performed to big band swing music: first, Balboa, which developed in southern California; second, Lindy Hop, the original form of Swing that grew out of the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem; and finally, Collegiate Shag, which is thought to have originated in Louisiana.

You will witness the protein fold into its closed state and then diffuse along the neuron membrane (or dance floor), illustrated by the Balboa dance. As the temperature rises (notice how the tempo, representing the temperature or kinetic energy in the system, increases throughout the song), the TRPV1 channel is activated and opens, represented by the switch to Lindy Hop. The TRPV1 protein eventually desensitizes, closing again, and we turn to Collegiate Shag. Finally, as the temperature increases too much, the protein denatures and unfolds...

If you liked this video, you might also like the routine about my PhD thesis for the "Dance your PhD" contest 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4s3X-B2mrI

Thanks for watching!

Rachelle Gaudet

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• TRPV1
• TRP
• channel
• lindy
• hop
• balboa
• collegiate
• shag
• neuroscience
• biology
• dance
• swing
• science
• research
• membrane
• proteins

[2631833]

love you guys!

[simmerdude]

Though the science is way over my head, that is one awesome way of explaining it. Great job, that was a lot of fun!

[Triggerly]

Hey Michelle, did you get an "A" on your research paper? Great routine.

[slidefacekill]

I can't comment on any of the science, but you guys are definitely great dancers.

[Axon36]

Well...since so far theres very convincing evidence than the TRPV1/V2 channels are not involve with the heat transductional mechanism, it seems to me than you could be digging on a very elusive track with uncertainly future. Nice video, though.

[junton1]

I think it's super nerdy, yet delightful what you guys are doing, using dance to illustrate complicated bio concepts. Is this the future of education? :)