The 2nd Worldwide Sodium Channel Conference (WSCC26) brought together leading international experts to explore advancing science around sodium channel function and therapeutic innovation. Dr. Rajesh Khanna’s participation underscored the University of Florida’s growing impact in ion‑channel–based pain research while contributing to the meeting’s global scientific dialogue.
The global Nav channel research community gathered February 4–6 in Grindelwald, Switzerland, for the 2nd Worldwide Sodium Channel Conference (WSCC26)—a meeting that brought together scientists, clinicians, patient partners, and industry leaders to explore advances in sodium channel biology and therapeutic discovery. Dr. Rajesh Khanna, Director of the UF Center for Advancing Pain Therapeutics (CAPToR), participated in this year’s event, contributing to the dynamic exchange of ideas that has made this conference an essential gathering for the field.
Hosted at the Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald, WSCC26 built on the momentum established by the Worldwide Sodium Channel Seminar Series and emphasized lively, inclusive scientific dialogue designed to bring together the global Nav research community. Organized by an international team led by Hugues Abriel of the University of Bern and Angelika Lampert of RWTH Aachen, the conference featured a rich program of presentations, poster sessions, and informal discussions spanning sodium channel structure, function, and translational applications.
Dr. Khanna’s participation highlighted both his own laboratory’s contributions and CAPToR’s broader mission to develop non-addictive pain therapeutics through mechanistic ion channel research. His ongoing work on sodium channel modulation and pain‑related signaling pathways aligned closely with the central themes of WSCC26, which emphasized translational approaches and emerging therapeutic strategies. The meeting also enabled attendees to engage with leading investigators and industry innovators who are advancing electrophysiology technologies and disease‑relevant models to accelerate Nav‑targeted drug discovery.
Beyond its scientific program, WSCC26 underscored the importance of community building within the sodium channel field. Organizers announced plans for a forthcoming special journal issue featuring selected conference contributions as well as the continuation of the online seminar series to maintain the collaborative momentum generated during the event. These initiatives aim to extend the impact of the conference far beyond its three‑day program and help sustain a thriving, interconnected research community.
For CAPToR, Dr. Khanna’s engagement at WSCC26 strengthens international partnerships and reinforces the University of Florida’s leadership in pain research. As the global scientific community continues to explore innovative strategies for targeting sodium channels in chronic pain and neurological conditions, participation in high‑impact conferences such as WSCC26 ensures that CAPToR remains at the forefront of discovery, collaboration, and translation.