Biography

William F. Borschel is a research scientist in the Therapeutic Development Branch within the Division of Preclinical Innovation, where he operates the electrophysiology laboratory, supporting projects across the Center’s entire intramural research program.

Prior to joining NCATS in 2020, Borschel started his postdoctoral training as a research fellow in the laboratory of Colin G. Nichols, Ph.D., at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he investigated lipid regulation of potassium channels to understand the molecular mechanism of hyperinsulinemia. Borschel finished his postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Seok-Yong Lee, Ph.D., at Duke University School of Medicine. In Lee’s laboratory, his research focused on the biophysical basis of the temperature sensitivity of thermally activated ion channels involved in chronic and inflammatory pain.

Borschel received his doctorate in biochemistry from the University at Buffalo, where he investigated the biophysical mechanism of ionotropic glutamate receptor desensitization under the mentorship of Gabriela K. Popescu, Ph.D.

Research Topics

Borschel’s research focuses on investigating new therapeutic development for opioid addiction, overdose and pain management. He collaborates with biologists, identifying and validating drug targets that modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission associated with addiction and chronic pain using electrophysiological methods. Borschel also develops and validates probes and lead drug candidates in primary neurons and brain tissues, as well as human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, organoids and bioprinted tissues. He also develops electrophysiological assays to determine neuronal toxicity of new drug candidates.