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Research Strategic Pillar
Dr. Randall Urban, VP and Chief Research Officer, has determined that UTMB research should be prioritized into six health communities. This researcher has received the following badge(s):
Research Interests
Areas of Research: Neuropharmacology; drug discovery and translational research for neurological and psychiatric disorders; cell biology, biochemistry and pharmacology of G protein-coupled receptors.
The main focus of our research is to understand the signal transduction of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and to identify and advance GPCR-targeted molecules for neurotherapeutic drug discovery. GPCRs are the largest group of signaling proteins in the human genome and an estimated 35% of all marketed drugs act directly to modulate this receptor family. Our primary focus is the neuropharmacology of dopamine, serotonin and novel orphan receptors that control the brain’s striatum and basal ganglia neuronal system. GPCRs within the striatum mediate reward signals underlying the addictive effects of abused drugs as well as dysfunctions observed in movement disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. We apply a synergistic approach using cell/molecular, biochemical and systems pharmacology to reveal the mechanisms of GPCR signaling in cells, neurons and in the brain. We also apply large scale screening technologies and medicinal chemistry to discover novel GPCR ligands and test compounds for their therapeutic potential in pre-clinical models of addiction and related neurological diseases.
We use a range of multidisciplinary approaches in our research including identification of GPCR signaling pathways using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and transcriptomics, measurement of GPCR signaling in neurons, drug discovery using high throughput screening platforms, microscopy and live cell imaging of GPCR trafficking and behavioral characterization of rodent models with altered components of GPCR signaling machinery.
Research Strategic Pillar Keywords
- Brain Health
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Heterocyclic G protein-coupled receptor 52 (GPR52) agonists
Zhou, J., Allen, J., Wang, P. & Felsing, D., Oct 23 2023, United States Patent Office, Patent No. US 11,773,065 B2Research output: Patent
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Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR37 as an Emerging Therapeutic Target
Bolinger, A., Frazier, A., La, J-H., Allen, J. & Zhou, J., Sep 7 2023, In: ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 14, 18, p. 3318 3334 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Erratum: Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Noncatechol G Protein Biased and Unbiased Dopamine D1 Receptor Agonists (ACS Med. Chem. Lett. (2019) 10:5 (792−799) DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00050)
Wang, P., Felsing, D. E., Chen, H., Raval, S. R., Allen, J. A. & Zhou, J., Jun 9 2022, In: ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 13, 6, p. 989 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
Open Access -
GPCRs as Therapeutic Targets: Dopamine Receptors: Neurotherapeutic Targets for Substance Use Disorders
Nilson, A. N., Felsing, D. & Allen, J., Sep 16 2022, United States: John Wiley and Sons. 54 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book
Open Access -
Dopamine Receptors: Neurotherapeutic Targets for Substance Use Disorders
Nilson, A. N., Felsing, D. E. & Allen, J. A., Jan 1 2021, GPCRs as Therapeutic Targets. wiley, Vol. 2. p. 677-731 55 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter