His researh focuses on ion channels, which are essential for neurotransmission, cellular differentiation and cardiac excitability. Excessive activities of voltage- or ligand-gated channels can lead to neuronal damage, epilepsy or cardiac arrhythmias. The Chen laboratory has two main research foci: 1) To elucidate the structure of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-gated channel, and to develop safe, selective open-channel blockers of NMDA receptors for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases and 2) To elucidate the mechanisms of development of sinoatrial pacemaker cells of embryonic hearts in order to develop biological pacemaker cells from embryonic stem cells.