Clay Armstrong

Clay Armstrong (1934-2018) was an eminent neuroscientist and biophysicist, best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of ion channel physiology. His research has significantly contributed to our understanding of how cells communicate and has had profound implications for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Armstrong was born in 1934 in Los Angeles, California. He completed his undergraduate studies at Pomona College in 1956, majoring in physics. He then pursued his Ph.D. in biophysics at Johns Hopkins University, which he completed in 1963.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his Ph.D., Armstrong joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania as an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology. He was promoted to full professor in 1973. During his tenure at the university, he made several significant discoveries related to the function and structure of ion channels.

Armstrong's most notable contribution to science was his "gating current" theory. He proposed that ion channels open and close in response to changes in the electrical charge across the cell membrane, a process known as voltage gating. This theory revolutionized our understanding of how nerve cells transmit signals and has had far-reaching implications for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Armstrong's work has had a profound impact on the field of neuroscience. His research has not only advanced our understanding of how cells communicate, but it has also paved the way for the development of new treatments for neurological disorders. Armstrong passed away in 2018, but his legacy continues to influence the field of neuroscience.

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Clay Armstrong