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Some breakthroughs don’t start with a grant or a roadmap — they start with a question no one expects to matter. For JB, that moment was a cold email from a biologist he’d never met, asking if he could synthesize a molecule “when you’re back in Munich.”  That simple ask pulled a young chemist out of the fume hood and into the messy, electrifying world of live-cell biology. What followed — a trip to London, confocal imaging marathons, and a partnership built on trust and curiosity — reshaped both careers and helped unlock a new generation of GPCR imaging tools. This is the story of how collaboration quietly rewires a field. This collaboration would become the foundation of a GPCR imaging breakthrough that neither of them anticipated. How a Collaboration Led to a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough JB didn’t set out to contribute to a GPCR imaging breakthrough, but a simple molecule request set the entire trajectory in motion. He was a PhD student studying ion channels — living in a world defined by reaction mechanisms, synthetic routes, and the reassuring logic of chemistry. Then the unexpected request arrived. David Hodson needed molecules that were only one synthetic step beyond what JB was already making. The ask was simple; the impact wasn’t. That brief exchange connected two people who had never met but were equally driven by curiosity. When David later shared early data — including a moment where he realized he could image an entire islet — it became clear that this wasn’t just a small contribution. It was the start of a scientific partnership with the potential to shift how GPCRs could be visualized in their native environments. How Chemistry and Islet Biology Converged to Enable a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough The collaboration deepened when JB traveled to London, a trip that unexpectedly accelerated what would become a GPCR imaging breakthrough. What he expected to be a technical visit became a complete reframing of how he thought about biological systems. Instead of round-bottom flasks, he was looking at living cells under a confocal microscope. Freshly isolated pancreatic islets. Real-time calcium activity. Signaling waves pulsing across clusters of beta cells. Seeing those images, he realized just how different biological reality is from chemical idealization. Molecules weren’t abstract entities anymore — they were tools that could illuminate dynamic, excitable tissues and reveal mechanisms driving hormone secretion.That shift in perspective became foundational. It would later shape how he designed fluorescent probes, how he evaluated biological constraints, and how he approached GPCR imaging as both a chemical problem and a physiological one. How Chemical Probes Transformed GPCR Imaging and Outperformed Antibodies As JB continued exploring the biology, a major obstacle emerged: validated antibodies for GPCRs, including GLP-1R, were inconsistent and incompatible with high-resolution imaging. For a field that depends on understanding where receptors actually are — and how many are available at the cell surface — this was a major limitation. The shift toward chemical probes became a defining moment in achieving a true GPCR imaging breakthrough. Chemical probes offered a solution. They could be engineered to target surface-exposed receptors, remain stable across batches, support live-cell imaging, and tolerate super-resolution workflows. There was one challenge: JB had never synthesized peptides. The project required designing peptide–fluorophore conjugates that would bind GLP-1R with high specificity. Instead of stopping, he teamed up with a peptide specialist at the Max Planck Institute. Together, they built the first generation of GLP-1R fluorescent ligands — probes precise enough to visualize the receptor across islets, tissue slices, and ultimately living animals. Early images showed clean, bright labeling across whole pancreatic islets. That breakthrough launched the first wave of GLP-1R visualization studies and opened the door to deeper questions about receptor distribution, density, and trafficking. Designing Reliable GPCR Imaging Tools for Real Biological Systems Success brought new challenges. Chemical probes may be elegant, but biology isn’t. Tissue is messy. Cells behave differently day to day. Receptors internalize, traffic, recycle, and degrade. To build tools that performed consistently, JB and collaborators shifted toward a more rigorous parallelized screening approach. Instead of testing one compound at a time, they evaluated multiple probes in the same experimental conditions — same transfection, same cells, same humidity, same everything. This strategy accelerated discovery and reduced noise, helping them understand how each design change influenced labeling, specificity, and photophysical behavior. It also gave them confidence in how the probes would perform once shipped to external labs. The payoff was substantial. These optimizations enabled dual-color labeling strategies, surface-selective imaging, and ultimately in vivo visualization. These parallelized experiments were critical for turning early ideas into a reproducible GPCR imaging breakthrough. Two-photon microscopy experiments showed GLP-1R signaling in intact animals — a milestone that demonstrated just how powerful well-engineered chemical tools can be when paired with the right biology. Collaboration as the Driver Behind Today’s GPCR Imaging Breakthroughs Behind the technical success lies a partnership shaped by trust, shared energy, and a willingness to learn each other’s language. JB brought chemical intuition and a love for toolmaking. David brought deep experience in islet biology, calcium imaging, and tissue physiology. Over the years, they learned from each other in ways that shifted both careers. JB gained a grounded understanding of tissue heterogeneity, signal variability, and the biology that makes GPCR research challenging. David picked up unexpected chemistry insights — including a well-loved lesson involving acetonitrile in conjugation reactions. What made the collaboration durable wasn’t simply aligned expertise. It was a shared sense of fun, the kind of scientific joy that makes late-night imaging sessions feel lighter and big failures feel solvable. That chemistry — human chemistry — is what allowed the science to move as quickly as it did. Curiosity also played a central role. JB emphasizes how much of their progress came from staying open, asking questions freely, and engaging people at conferences regardless of title or reputation. Many of the connections that shaped the probes’ development came from simple conversations that began with genuine scientific interest. Their trust-driven collaboration is ultimately what allowed the GPCR imaging breakthrough to take shape. The Future of GPCR Imaging Breakthroughs: AI, Multiplex Tools, and In Vivo Discovery Today, JB leads an interdisciplinary group at the FMP in Berlin — chemists, theorists, biochemists, toxicologists, and cell biologists — all working toward the same goal: building better tools for visualizing cell-surface proteins, especially GPCRs. The work now stretches far beyond a single receptor. His team is exploring AI-enabled probe design, multiplex fluorescent strategies that allow visualization of multiple GPCRs at once, and approaches capable of mapping receptor crosstalk at nanometer scale. They’re also performing increasingly complex imaging experiments that capture receptor dynamics in intact tissue and live animals, expanding what’s possible in both basic research and translational settings. What started as one molecule request is now a platform vision — a future where any GPCR could be illuminated with high precision, in any tissue, across multiple colors, with tools designed as much by computation as by human intuition. And it all began with a simple moment of collaboration. This conversation is part of a three episode series produced in collaboration with our partners at Celtarys Research . If this behind-the-scenes story resonated, you’ll love the full conversation. 🎧 Listen to the full episode https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/dr-gpcr-podcast/chemical-probes-for-gpcr-imaging-and-internalization If JB's story resonates 🎧 Listen to part 1 of this series with Dr. David Hodson

Most GPCR programs don’t fail because of weak molecules—they fail because biology behaves differently than the assay implied. This week’s feature goes straight to the foundation: how system-level GPCR thinking  protects discovery teams from the costly misinterpretations that derail programs. If your work touches GPCR pharmacology, these insights aren’t optional—they’re essential. Breakthroughs this week: Eli Lilly cuts Zepbound prices; GNAI1 missense mutation study; rapid Gαs endosomal translocation. 🔍 This Week in Premium: Sneak Peek Industry insights:  Lilly cuts Zepbound prices; Lilly hits $1T valuation; Novo advances amycretin. Upcoming events:  Adhesion GPCR Workshop; GRC—Transporters, Ion Channels & GPCRs; MPGPCR Joint Satellite Meeting. Career opportunities:  Senior/Principal Scientist—GPCR Pharmacology; Principal Scientist—In Vitro Pharmacology; Research Associate—Biologics Discovery. Must-read publications:  Gαi1 neurodevelopmental mutation; Gαs endosomal signaling; primary cilia as transduction hubs. Terry’s Corner: GPCR Pharmacology Insights That Prevent Real Drug Discovery Failures Discovery collapses when teams assume stable, linear, receptor-to-response relationships. Dr. Kenakin’s AMA made the central point unmistakable: GPCR systems constantly reshape ligand behavior through coupling efficiency, receptor density, local signaling architecture, and physiological feedback loops. This is where system-level GPCR thinking  becomes a competitive advantage—long before a molecule reaches animals or patients. When you see the distortions baked into the system, you interpret your data differently and protect your program from preventable failures. What You’ll Gain Spot false confidence early  → Sensitivity differences can turn full agonists into partials or even antagonists depending on system load. Avoid misleading mechanistic labels  → NAMs, PAMs, and biased agonists behave in system-dependent ways that single assays cannot reveal. Translate potency and efficacy realistically  → Recognize when deviations reflect biology rather than compound failure. Premium Members get 67% discount when they join Terry’s Corner in 2025 Sharpen your interpretation skills ➤ Dr. GPCR Podcast: Chemical Probes for GPCR Imaging with Dr. Johannes Broichhagen Reliable imaging tools change how researchers see receptor behavior. In this episode, Dr. Johannes Broichhagen explains how next-generation fluorescent probes—designed with precise synthetic logic—enable deeper insight into GPCR internalization, trafficking, and surface organization. His work shows why chemical design can outperform antibodies and how rigorous assay validation bridges chemistry and biology effectively. What You’ll Learn Why peptide–fluorophore probes succeed where antibodies fail How parallel synthesis& testing accelerates probe optimization How surface-exposed receptor pools reshape interpretations of trafficking Listen to the episode ➤ High-Content Screening for GPCR Programs: Overcoming Assay Limitations with Fluorescent Ligands High-content screening (HCS) is now indispensable for GPCR workflows—especially when spatial context, trafficking behavior, and live-cell kinetics matter. But HCS only works when assays are built with rigor and powered by the right fluorescent ligands. This feature from Celtarys Research outlines how to structure an HCS workflow that avoids batch effects, imaging artifacts, and variability while delivering reliable, mechanistic data. What You’ll Learn Why traditional radioligand assays miss critical spatial and kinetic signals Five phases of a robust, reproducible HCS pipeline How fluorescent ligands strengthen specificity, relevance, and assay confidence Read the full HCS feature ➤ Why System-Level GPCR Thinking Changes Data Interpretation And How Dr. GPCR Premium Membership Gives You an Edge Premium gives GPCR scientists and biotech teams a single, trusted source of weekly insight that cuts through noise. Members access deep-dive lectures, expert frameworks, curated jobs, upcoming events, and classified more. It’s a system-aware resource built for researchers who need clarity fast—reinforcing system-level GPCR thinking  every week so your interpretations stay sharp and aligned with real biology. FAQ 🔹 What’s included? Weekly research, careers, and industry intelligence; GPCR University; 200+ expert talks; networking; and member-only discounts. 🔹 Who is it for? Researchers, pharmacologists, biotech teams, and decision-makers who rely on accurate, efficient, interpretation-first information. 🔹 Why now? GPCR innovation is accelerating—and misinterpretation compounds quickly. Staying informed today prevents the delays others won’t see coming. Don’t Fall Behind—Access the Edge You Need Already a Premium Member? 👉 Access this week’s full Premium Edition here ➤ What Members Say "I am a convert! I will keep Dr. GPCR and the offered resources in my work sphere." Help us reach more scientists by providing quick rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — and a YouTube subscribe. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KQHbC2qhkRIrdgBDtiQVF Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-gpcr-podcast/id1514231064 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGPCR Want to support Dr. GPCR? 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The Cost of Confusion Let’s be honest. Most biotech pitches don’t fail because the science is weak. They fail because the story is unclear. 👉 A confusing pitch doesn’t just slow down progress. It silently shuts down opportunity. You might still get the meeting. You might still get a few questions. But behind the polite nods, your audience is checking out. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: 👉 People make up their minds in the first few seconds. If your pitch doesn’t immediately tell them who it’s for, why it matters, and what makes it different, then they start mentally moving on, even if you’re still speaking. The result? You walk out of the meeting thinking it went well. They walk out already forgetting what you said. 👉 And that gap between delivery and perception is where momentum dies. For biotech founders, this is more than a presentation problem. It’s a strategic vulnerability. Because if you can’t explain your value clearly, your audience assumes there is none. A clear biotech pitch answers three key questions immediately. If your audience has to guess, you’ve already lost the room. The Most Common Mistakes in Biotech Pitches Even the most brilliant science can get lost in a poor pitch. And most of the time, the issue isn’t style. Its structure, sequencing, and focus. 👉 Here are the most common gaps we see in early-stage biotech pitches, even from smart, well-prepared teams: 1️⃣ Starting with the science Founders often begin with detailed technical information, pathways, targets, and models. But your audience isn’t evaluating you as a researcher. They’re trying to understand the opportunity. 👉 Opening with mechanisms forces the listener to do all the work. They have to guess why it matters, what the application is, and whether it fits. ✅ Start with relevance, not results. 2️⃣ Using buzzwords instead of clarity Words like “platform”, “breakthrough”, or “transformative” feel powerful. But without concrete context, they’re empty. Your listener doesn’t want to be impressed. They want to understand. 👉 Replace vague claims with focused positioning: What does your solution actually do ? Who specifically is it valuable for? Why now? 3️⃣ No clear strategic angle You might explain what your technology is. But do you explain why it fits your audience’s world? ✅ Strategic fit is not assumed. It has to be demonstrated. If your pitch doesn’t address timing, portfolio alignment, or internal traction, the audience won’t do that thinking for you. They’ll smile. Nod. Then pass. 4️⃣ Forgetting to frame the next steps One of the most common gaps? No clear “what now”. You finish the pitch ... and wait. If your listener doesn’t know what to do next or who should be involved, the conversation stalls. ✅ A strong pitch ends with direction, not silence. These aren’t “presentation mistakes.” They’re symptoms of an unclear strategy. And the good news is, they can be fixed. Strong biotech pitches don’t just inform, they align. Every sentence should move the conversation forward. How to Fix the Gaps 👉 Fixing your biotech pitch doesn’t require a rebrand. It requires a realignment. The strongest pitches follow a clear, strategic logic, not just a narrative arc. 👉 Here’s a four-part structure that helps founders move from scattered storytelling to focused positioning: 1️⃣ Who it’s for ✅ Begin by clearly defining your audience or market. Avoid vague generalizations. When the listener knows exactly who your solution targets, they can immediately place it in their mental map. ✅ This clarity signals strategic focus and shows that you're not casting a wide net. It shows you’ve made deliberate choices about application, indication, or customer. 2️⃣ Why it matters ✅ This is about urgency and relevance. Instead of leading with technology, lead with the problem it addresses. ✅ Frame the situation in terms of what’s at stake, whether that’s patient outcomes, time delays, unmet needs, or inefficiencies. This immediately shifts the conversation from academic interest to practical significance. 3️⃣ Why it’s different ✅ Differentiation must be more than a claim. It has to be obvious, credible, and valuable. Make it easy for the listener to understand what sets your approach apart from existing solutions or current standards and why that difference matters. Without this, you blend into the noise. 4️⃣ Why it fits ✅ Your pitch should always reflect an understanding of your listener’s world. Consider their priorities, constraints, and objectives. If your message doesn’t show alignment with their strategy or timeline, they won’t engage, no matter how strong your science is. A great pitch makes it easy for the other side to connect the dots and move forward with confidence. This framework is not about simplification. It’s about strategic clarity. ✅ When your pitch follows this logic, it respects the listener’s time, builds trust fast, and moves the conversation toward real decisions. What Changes When Your Pitch Works When your biotech pitch lands, the difference is immediate and powerful. You stop pushing. People start leaning in. You stop explaining. People start connecting the dots for you. 👉 This is what clarity creates. A clear, strategic pitch doesn’t just share information. It communicates that you know who you’re building for, why now is the right time, and how your solution fits into something bigger than your own science. ✅ It shifts perception. From: “That’s interesting” To: “This is worth moving forward.” When that shift happens, follow-ups come faster. Stakeholders engage earlier. And opportunities become more structured, not just more numerous. Because a well-positioned pitch is not just about communication, it’s about leadership. 👉 You’re showing that you think in context. That you understand the system you're entering. That you’re ready to operate at the next level. And in the early stages of a biotech company, that’s often what separates promising science from real traction. So if your meetings keep ending with polite nods and no momentum, it might not be your data. It might be your framing. Reworking your pitch is not polishing. It’s focusing. And when you focus on what your audience actually needs to hear, you don’t just earn attention, you earn action. Strategic Takeaway: Clarity Wins. Fast. 👉 Biotech founders don’t lose opportunities because their ideas are weak. They lose them because their positioning is unclear. A strong biotech pitch isn’t about saying more. It’s about making your value obvious, fast. 👉 The goal is not to simplify your science. It’s to clarify its strategic relevance, in seconds, not slides. If your pitch keeps stalling, stop editing your deck. Start refining your message. Ready to Break Your Bottlenecks? If you're feeling the friction, indecision, misalignment, or slow momentum, it's not just operational. It's strategic. Attila runs focused strategy consultations for biotech founders  who are ready to lead with clarity, not just react to pressure. Whether you're refining your narrative, making tough tradeoffs, or simply feeling stuck, this session will get you unstuck, fast. 👉 Book a 1:1 consult and start building the mindset your company actually needs.

Discover the Dr. GPCR Ecosystem, where we connect and empower the GPCR community in the United States. Home: About Accelerating GPCR Drug Discovery, Together Dr. GPCR is the global hub where academia and industry meet to advance GPCR research, accelerate drug discovery, and foster collaboration across the entire ecosystem. 👉 Join Free Today 🔒 Go Premium Strategic Partners Your Path to GPCR Mastery Flexible, career-ready courses designed by scientists for scientists. GPCR Courses ➚ GPCR Weekly News ➚ Dr. GPCR Podcast ➚ Articles from the Ecosystem ➚ How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology How System-Level GPCR Thinking Prevents Discovery Failures How to Avoid the Most Common Gaps in Your Biotech Pitch GPCR Pharmacology Insights That Prevent Real Drug Discovery Failures GPCR Flash News ➚ Closing the Gap Between Academia and Industry Our vision is simple: empower the GPCR field through shared knowledge, collaboration, and open access to tools that accelerate drug discovery. 🤝 Support the Mission Home: Premium $ 249.99 Every year 🚀 Everything you need to master GPCR science — in one membership. Valid until canceled Select 🎓 Full GPCR University + 🔬 200+ expert talks 🗞️ Weekly research, careers & event intelligence 🤝 Members-only networking, AMAs & matchmaking 💡 Support open resources for the global GPCR field 🧠 Designed for researchers at every career stage 🚀 Don’t just keep up — lead the way. 🔒 Grandfather Guarantee, your rate never increases Everything You Need to Master GPCR Science in One Membership Join the most complete GPCR learning & collaboration hub. Closing the Gap Between Academia and Industry Our vision is simple: empower the GPCR field through shared knowledge, collaboration, and open access to tools that accelerate drug discovery. 🤝 Support the Mission

Your go-to hub for everything GPCR! Stay ahead with the latest research breakthroughs, industry updates, job opportunities, and upcoming events—all in one place. GPCR Weekly News - Your Hub for GPCR Research, Industry Updates, Jobs & Events Delivered straight to your inbox every week Become a Premium Member Welcome to GPCR Weekly News! Whether you're a GPCR scientist, biotech innovator, or industry professional, GPCR Weekly News keeps you connected to the discoveries and opportunities that matter most. Latest Research Breakthrough discoveries, new publications, and cutting-edge GPCR research insights. Industry Events Upcoming conferences, workshops, webinars, and networking events worldwide. Career Opportunities GPCR job listings, career tips, and networking opportunities in the field. Read the Free Edition Here's a preview of what you'll find in our latest newsletter How System-Level GPCR Thinking Prevents Discovery Failures Most GPCR programs don’t fail because of weak molecules—they fail because biology behaves differently than the assay implied. This week’s feature goes straight to the foundation: how system-level GPCR thinking protects discovery teams from the costly misinterpretations that derail programs. If your work touches GPCR pharmacology, these insights aren’t optional—they’re essential. Dr. GPCR News 3 min read Get Premium for Full Access Latest Issues How System-Level GPCR Insights Strengthen Every Discovery Decision Read Full Issue November 21 - December 4, 2025 Schild Truths & Incretin Insights — This Week in GPCRs Read Full Issue November 14 - 20, 2025 Crafting Chemical Keys for GPCR Drug Discovery Read Full Issue November 7 - 13, 2025 A Note from Yamina — The Next Chapter of Dr. GPCR Read Full Issue Oct 24 - Nov 6, 2025 The Power and Peril of Irreversible Drugs Read Full Issue Oct 17 - 23, 2025 Enzyme Insight, Real-World Impact Read Full Issue Oct 10 - 16, 2025 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 8 About GPCR Weekly News GPCR Weekly News was launched in 2020 as part of the Dr. GPCR initiative. Our mission is to provide timely, relevant, and accessible information to scientists and industry professionals working in GPCR research and drug discovery. Every week, our team curates the most important developments so you never miss a breakthrough, opportunity, or event that could impact your work. Learn More about DrGPCR Unlock Premium 🔥 Upgrade to Premium Premium Yearly $249.99 $ 249.99 Every year 🚀 Everything you need to master GPCR science — in one membership. Valid until canceled Join Premium Now 🎓 Full GPCR University + 🔬 200+ expert talks 🗞️ Weekly research, careers & event intelligence 🤝 Members-only networking, AMAs & matchmaking 💡 Support open resources for the global GPCR field 🧠 Designed for researchers at every career stage 🚀 Don’t just keep up — lead the way. 🔒 Grandfather Guarantee, your rate never increases Ready to Stay Ahead in GPCR Research? Join scientists worldwide who rely on GPCR Weekly News for the latest insights and opportunities.

A collaboration between chemistry and biology sparked a GPCR imaging breakthrough, leading to new chemical probes for GLP-1R visualization in real tissue. Home → Flash News → A GPCR imaging breakthrough that didn’t start in a grant proposal A GPCR imaging breakthrough that didn’t start in a grant proposal Published on December 3, 2025 Category It started with a cold email. A young chemist, Dr. Johannes Broichhagen, was asked if he could synthesize a molecule “when you’re back in Munich.” That small moment pulled him into islet biology, confocal imaging, and a collaboration that would reshape how GLP-1R is visualized in real tissue. The new blog takes you behind the scenes — the London trip, the early confocal experiments, the pivot to chemical probes, and the trust-driven partnership that sparked a new era in GPCR imaging. If you care about chemical biology, receptor visualization, or building tools that actually work in complex systems, this one is worth reading. 🔗 Read the full story : https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/post/how-collaboration-sparked-a-gpcr-imaging-breakthrough-in-chemical-biology Previous Next Recent Articles