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Learn about Celtarys Research through the Dr. GPCR Ecosystem. Explore their innovative GPCR projects, collaborations, and contributions to cutting-edge drug discovery. Partnership Dr. GPCR x Celtarys Reseach Empowering medicinal biochemists Celtarys empowers medicinal biochemists by providing innovative fluorescent probes that de-risk the pre-clinical drug discovery phase. Our proprietary conjugation technology and unparalleled scientific expertise ensure researchers can confidently advance their projects with greater precision and reliability. Visit Website About Celtarys Research Celtarys Research develops and commercializes new chemical tools to spread the use of fluorescence-based methods in the pre-clinical phase of drug discovery. Our proprietary chemical conjugation technology allows us to grow, in a competitive manner and in a short time (<3 months), customized fluorescent ligands with optimal pharmacological and photophysical properties for any druggable target. We have a catalogue of over 30 fluorescent ligands for different families of GPCRs, including adenosine, dopamine, serotonin, cannabinoid and muscarinic receptors. We also offer our expertise in the form of custom development services, where we tackle challenging targets and synthesize probes with the most suitable properties for your needs. Meet the Celtarys Team Wilson Gomes CEO Wilson Gomes holds a Mechanical Engineering degree, an MBA from the University of North Carolina, and completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School. He has over 20 years of experience in the medtech and diagnostics industries, having held senior roles at Johnson & Johnson and Danaher across the EMEA region in sales, marketing, and general management. He joined Celtarys as CEO in 2024, where he is responsible for driving strategy and growth. His focus is on expanding commercial reach and accelerating the adoption of the company’s GPCR assay technologies. Maria Majellaro Co-Funder and CSO Dr. Maria Majellaro earned her degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from the University of Bari and completed her PhD in Biomolecular Sciences in Pharmacology and Medicine as “Doctor Europeus” in 2018. She then joined the University of Santiago de Compostela as a postdoctoral researcher in Prof. Eddy Sotelo’s group, contributing to the IGNICIA tech transfer project and the validation of Celtarys’ core technology. In 2021, she co-founded Celtarys and now leads the company’s scientific direction. Her work focuses on organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and the development of GPCR-targeted tools for pharma, biotech, and academic partners. Webinar Fluorescent Probes for GLP-1R and GIPR Imaging: From Cell Assays to In Vivo Systems Fluorescent tools for imaging endogenous incretin receptors across biological systems See Webinar Page Podcast Episodes See Podcast Page See Podcast Page See Podcast Page See Podcast Page Celtarys News & Updates A2A Fluorescent Competitive Binding: Advancing NanoBRET® Target Engagement for GPCR Drug Discovery The A₂A adenosine receptor NanoBRET® competitive binding assay enables real-time quantification of ligand–receptor interactions in living cells. By combining NanoLuc-tagged receptors with fluorescent tracers, this approach allows direct measurement of binding displacement, delivering robust pIC₅₀ and pKᵢ values that align with established pharmacology. In this article, we examine the assay principle, validation strategy, and performance across reference antagonists and agonis Lucía from Celtarys Research Mar 10 5 min read Illuminating C5aR Biology: The Role of Fluorescent Ligands in GPCR Research GPCRs are one of the most important families of therapeutic targets in the pharmaceutical industry. They are involved in several pathologies, ranging from neurological, oncological, degenerative, metabolic, immunological… around a third of the drugs in clinical use are GPCR ligands Lucía from Celtarys Research Feb 20 6 min read 1 2 3 4 5 Our Partnership Dr. GPCR and Celtarys Research Join Forces to Expand Access to Innovative GPCR Tools Boston, MA and Santiago de Compostela, Spain — June 3rd, 2025 — Dr. GPCR, the global knowledge hub for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) research and education, is proud to welcome Celtarys Research to its partner ecosystem. This collaboration aims to amplify the visibility and adoption of Celtarys’ cutting-edge fluorescent ligand technology and accelerate the development of GPCR-targeted therapeutics. Celtarys Research develops high-quality, fluorescently labeled ligands and innovative chemical biology tools to support real-time, non-radioactive GPCR assays. These tools enable high-resolution binding studies, kinetic analysis, and live-cell imaging, empowering both academic and industrial scientists to uncover GPCR biology with greater precision and speed. “We’re thrilled to partner with Celtarys and introduce their high-performance fluorescent ligands to our global GPCR community,” said Dr. Yamina Berchiche, Founder and CEO of Dr. GPCR. “These tools can dramatically improve how scientists measure ligand-receptor interactions, visualize binding in live cells, and design better experiments, core to advancing GPCR-targeted discovery.” “Dr. GPCR provides a unique platform to reach scientists at every stage of GPCR research,” said Wilson Gomes, CEO of Celtarys Research. “This partnership will help accelerate the adoption of our chemical tools and foster collaborations that turn receptor biology into therapeutic breakthroughs.” “We’re excited to support the GPCR community with tools that deliver clarity, sensitivity, and speed,” added Dr. Maria Majellaro, CSO of Celtarys. “Working with Dr. GPCR allows us to engage with researchers worldwide who are shaping the future of receptor-targeted therapies.” To explore Celtarys Research’s catalog and learn more about their GPCR tools, visit https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/celtarys-research Services & Expertise NEW! High Content Screening Service Live‑cell HCS imaging in HEK‑293T–hCB2R with fluorescent ligand CELT-331; confocal capture on Operetta CLS. GPCR Expertise Specialized knowledge in adenosine, dopamine, serotonin, cannabinoid and muscarinic receptors for advanced research. Fluorescent Probes Innovative fluorescent probes that de-risk the pre-clinical drug discovery phase with optimal pharmacological properties. Custom Development Customized fluorescent ligands developed in less than 3 months with optimal properties for any druggable target. Product Catalog GPCR Ligands Our GPCR fluorescent ligands are the ideal solution for your High Throughput Screening (HTS) needs. GPCR Functional Assay Fluorescent GTPγS enables sensitive, non-radioactive GPCR activity assays for drug discovery. Custom Development Tailored fluorescent probes designed for unique research requirements. Contact Celtarys Research First name* Last name Email* Write a message Submit Get in Touch Address Avda. Mestre Mateo 2, Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain Email Website LinkedIn

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Empowering Drug Discovery for the GPCR Community with Dr. Justin English About Dr. Justin English "Dr. English earned his PhD at UNC Chapel Hill in the laboratory of Dr. Henrik Dohlman and performed his postdoctoral work with Dr. Bryan Roth at the same University. We moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2020 to begin his own laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah School of Medicine. His lab focuses on developing and innovating technologies to solve broad questions in pharmacology, with a specific focus on G-protein coupled receptor signaling and biology." Dr. Justin English on the web The English Lab University of Utah Google Scholar LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Discover CRO Bank Packages with Dr. GPCR Ecosystem. List your services and your brand on the world's first GPCR CRO Bank. Reach a targeted scientific audience and showcase your organization in the GPCR community. Be Discoverable When GPCR Teams Are Actively Evaluating Services and Tools The GPCR CRO Bank is designed to help service providers and tool companies get found, evaluated, and contacted — not just recognized. Companies present their services in a structured format so GPCR discovery teams can quickly identify relevant capabilities. Curated for quality Reach 1,400+ GPCR researchers Partner with us Today! Who the GPCR CRO Bank is For? Your structured home within the ecosystem The GPCR CRO Bank is a strong fit for companies that want to: Make their services or products easily discoverable within the GPCR ecosystem Present clear, structured product and service offerings in one trusted location Support inbound inquiries from teams actively evaluating CROs, platforms, or tools Use ecosystem visibility to support commercial conversations and decision-making If your primary goal is brand credibility and long-term recognition across high-traffic ecosystem pages, a Strategic Media Partnership may be a better fit. "Dr. GPCR is the world's largest nonprofit community focused on GPCRs. We are building the world's first CRO Service-focused GPCR bank. As a CRO partner, you'll gain trusted access to an engaged audience of biotech teams and drug discovery innovators — without having to fight for attention." Why Partner with Dr. GPCR? Featured across our nonprofit platform, trusted by thousands As a CRO partner, you'll be featured across our nonprofit platform, trusted by thousands of GPCR scientists and biotech professionals. Reach Qualified Researchers Connect with scientists who are actively looking for tools like yours, without the noise of general platforms. Build Trust Develop content that speaks their language and establishes your credibility in the GPCR research community. Join a Curated Ecosystem Become part of a collaborative, curated ecosystem — not just another name on a crowded vendor list. What You Get as a CRO Partner? Built for discovery and evaluation These channels are used to support discovery and evaluation — helping teams understand what you offer and how to engage with you. Premium Licenses 10 Scientists Premium Accounts and 3 Non-Scientists Premium Accounts for your team. Custom Company Page Permanent company profile on the Dr. GPCR Ecosystem with your logo, branding, mission description, contact links, and key highlights. Featured Podcast Episode Be the guest on a dedicated Dr. GPCR Podcast episode. Feature up to 3 team members. Distributed across podcast platforms and social media. Blog Contributions Contribute to blog posts as a valued partner. Share insights on product launches, scientific discoveries, or customer stories. Product or Service Pages Individual pages for each product or service. Educate researchers and showcase technical value. Provide downloadable resources or use cases. Newsletter Visibility Featured in our highly read weekly newsletter. Tell your story with context, clarity, and purpose. Bonus: mentioned in podcast intros/outros. Social Media Promotion Engaging posts about your organization targeted to GPCR researchers and biotech professionals. Shared on LinkedIn and X (Twitter). Co-Branded Events & Training Collaborate on webinars and virtual training sessions to showcase your expertise and engage directly with the GPCR research community. Previous Partners Join these leading organizations Join these leading organizations in the GPCR research ecosystem. Book Ready to share your CRO company with the GPCR world? Book a 30-minute Strategy Call with Yamina to explore whether your capabilities fit within the GPCR CRO Bank.

Discover how finance and science intersect in this Dr. GPCR Podcast episode with Joe St. Germain and Chuck DeWeese, as they share what it takes to build mission-driven startups and research organizations. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Finance is Science too: How Numbers Keep the Lights On with Chuck DeWeese & Joe St. Germain In Episode Dr. Yamina Berchiche welcomes Chuck DeWeese and Joe St. Germain of Company Launch Partners for an inspiring discussion on the intersection of accounting, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit mission building . With the Dr. GPCR ecosystem officially becoming a nonprofit, this episode offers valuable insight into the financial backbone required to scale scientific and community-driven initiatives. The Launch Pad: Company Launch Partners Joe St. Germain, founder of Company Launch Partners, shares how he transitioned from corporate finance to creating a service firm dedicated to startups and nonprofits . A self-declared problem-solver, Joe describes how working with early-stage companies reignited his passion for helping others build impactful ventures. Chuck DeWeese, controller at CLP, joined the mission after pivoting from a sales career into accounting, where he found his professional calling in " making the numbers make sense ." "There’s something really sick with accounting people... that accounting high when everything reconciles." – Chuck DeWeese The Nonprofit Spark: Partnering with Dr. GPCR The episode dives into how Joe and Chuck began collaborating with the Dr. GPCR ecosystem. Yamina reached out to Joe with accounting questions during his vacation—an email that sparked a partnership. Chuck stepped in to help structure the nonprofit’s financial framework , showcasing how specialized knowledge and timing can catalyze long-term collaborations. “You always email me when I’m on vacation.” – Joe St. Germain (laughing) Accounting Highs & Scientific Parallels Yamina draws a parallel between reconciling complex financial data and a scientist getting a long-awaited result. Both Chuck and Joe agree: accounting is like solving puzzles. It's about structure, order, and breakthrough moments , not unlike the life of a researcher. “Finance grows the beans, but you don’t get to that point until you count them.” – Chuck DeWeese Jumping Off the Cliff: The Entrepreneur’s Leap Joe shares the risks of launching a business while supporting a family, emphasizing the mental resilience and self-care needed. He compares entrepreneurship to a scientist’s journey: uncertainty, trial-and-error, and the necessity of mentorship. "I’m a startup working with startups. That support system made the leap manageable." – Joe St. Germain Networking: Relationship Over Transaction Both guests stress that business is built on relationships , not transactions. Joe often helps people with problems unrelated to accounting, simply to build trust. Chuck adds that networking is about planting seeds and being patient. “We assess and sometimes say: ‘You’re not quite at our level yet. Let’s help you set up and come back when you’re ready.’” – Chuck DeWeese Accounting for Grants: Buckets, Structure & Strategy The discussion covers the unique complexities of grant accounting in nonprofits. Unlike startups, nonprofits must adhere to strict allocation rules. Chuck explains that every dollar needs a bucket and purpose. "Accounting counts the beans with 100% accuracy. Finance grows the beans, but you don’t get to finance without accounting first." – Chuck DeWeese Culture Fit: Who Gets to Join the Team? When building their team, Joe and Chuck prioritize character over experience . They look for organized, upbeat, can-do individuals—many of whom are working mothers. A standout story is Kendra, a team member with no prior accounting experience who quickly became a key contributor. "Hire for character, train for skill. That’s how we grow." – Joe St. Germain The Joy of Building with Purpose Joe’s personal mission— to make a positive impact on people’s lives —drives their client selection. They avoid companies that don’t align with their values, like the vaping industry. Instead, they seek out startups and nonprofits working toward social impact and innovation . “We’ve only turned down one client for ethical reasons. We want to make the world better.” – Joe St. Germain The Science of Finance: A Shared Language Throughout the episode, Yamina and her guests underscore that finance and science share more than most people think —both require rigor, discipline, and a process-oriented mindset. This realization forms a deep connection between accountants and scientists alike. “Accounting is a science too. You build systems, track data, and interpret outcomes.” – Chuck DeWeese Final Reflections: Growing Together Yamina closes with the story behind the podcast’s creation—how a moment at a Starbucks in Target led her to launch a platform that now empowers GPCR scientists worldwide. It’s about finding the right people, solving hard problems, and creating something bigger than yourself . "I come alive when I do this. The podcast is about connecting people through science and story." – Yamina Berchiche Key Takeaway Whether you're launching a startup, building a nonprofit, or running a research lab, success comes down to relationships, integrity, and learning the systems that power sustainability . And yes, finance is a science too. About Company Launch Partners Company Launch Partners is a fractional finance and accounting service focused on early stage companies. Simply put, we partner with companies to help them launch. The company has been working with startup companies since 2017, serves 25 clients and has assisted over a 100 companies as they start their journey. Company Launch Partners on the web Company Launch Partners Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

How rare PTH1R disorders illuminate spatial and compartmentalized GPCR signaling, endosomal activity, and ligand-specific receptor regulation. < Back Subcellular Regulation of PTH1R Signaling June 11, 2026 10 AM - 11:30 AM EST 🔒 Watch Recordings - Join Premium Access the full library of recorded Masterclass sessions. Get Live Updates Be notified when new live Masterclasses are scheduled. Introduction GPCR signaling is increasingly understood as a spatially organized process, where receptors continue to signal from endosomal compartments after internalization and where the duration and location of signaling shape physiological outcomes. The parathyroid hormone receptor (PTH1R) is a tractable model for these principles: a class B GPCR activated by two endogenous ligands, PTH and PTHrP, that generate distinct signaling patterns through differences in ligand-receptor complex stability, β-arrestin recruitment, and receptor trafficking. This Masterclass uses rare PTH1R-associated disorders, including Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, Blomstrand chondrodysplasia, and Eiken syndrome, as mechanistic case studies showing how altered receptor regulation produces distinct skeletal and renal phenotypes. It is intended for GPCR scientists, pharmacologists, and drug discovery professionals working on receptor trafficking, spatial signaling, and endocrine receptor biology. Instructor Dr. Jakob Höppner studies the spatial and ligand-dependent signaling of the parathyroid hormone receptor (PTH1R) as a model for understanding GPCR function. His work centers on compartmentalized receptor signaling and on rare skeletal and mineral-ion disorders, including Eiken syndrome and Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, integrating cell-based biosensor assays, mouse genetics, and structure-guided ligand design to connect receptor mechanism with physiology and therapy. He is a research fellow in the Endocrine Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he works with Thomas J. Gardella and Harald Jüppner. His research on disease-informed PTH1R biology directly shapes the focus of this Masterclass, where rare disorders serve as a window into the principles governing subcellular GPCR regulation. Upcoming Live Sessions

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Mark Connor About Dr. Mark Connor Undergraduate BSc with Honours in Pharmacology from University of Sydney (1987, snake neurotoxins), Ph.D. from Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington (1992, mentor Charley Chavkin , sigma receptors). Postdoc with Graeme Henderson (Bristol, opioids and Ca signaling) and Mac Christie (Sydney, opioids in neurons, novel spider toxins). Grant-funded independent research positions from 2001 at University of Sydney (opioids and sensory neurons), Vollum Institute Portland (visiting scientist with Ed McCleskey, sensory neuron properties); Pain Management Research Institute (more opioids, cannabinoids and T-type Ca channels) and Brain and Mind Research Institute (Sydney). 2009, appointed Professor of Pharmacology at Macquarie University. Focus on study of drugs and toxins on GPCR (opioid, cannabinoid receptor) and ion channel (K, Ca, TRP channel) function; mostly electrophysiology and fluorescence-based reporters, but can grind and bind. Currently pursuing molecular pharmacology of phytocannabinoids and novel synthetic cannabinoids, with a focus on efficacy and novel targets. Interested in orthosteric and allosteric interactions, and still looking for some bias ... anywhere ... these days human only. Dr. Mark Connor on the web Researchers Twitter Google Scholar Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) A Brief History of allosteric modulation with Dr. Arthur Christopoulos About Dr. Arthur Christopoulos " Arthur Christopoulos is the Professor of Analytical Pharmacology and the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia. His research focuses on novel paradigms of drug action at GPCRs, particularly allosteric modulation and biased agonism, and incorporates computational and mathematical modelling, structural and chemical biology, molecular and cellular pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and preclinical models of behaviour and disease. His work has been applied to studies encompassing neurological and psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, chronic pain and addiction. He has received substantial, long-term support from international and national competitive, charitable and commercial sources, as well as being academic co-founder of three GPCR-focussed biotechnology companies. Professor Christopoulos has over 360 publications, including in leading international journals such as Nature,Science and Cell, and has delivered over 180 invited presentations. He has served on the Editorial Board of 8 international journals and was a Councillor of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR). He has also been the recipient of multiple awards, including the John J. Abel Award and the Goodman and Gilman Award from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics; the Rand Medal from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists; the British Pharmacological Society’s Gaddum Memorial Award; the IUPHAR Sir James Black Analytical Pharmacology Lecturer; the GSK Award for Research Excellence and a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from the University of Athens. Since 2014, Clarivate Analytics have annually named him a Highly Cited Researcher in ‘Pharmacology & Toxicology’, and in 2021 also named him a Highly Cited Researcher in the additional category of ‘Biology & Biochemistry’. In 2017, he was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, in 2018 as a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society, and in 2021 he was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science for his seminal contributions to drug discovery. In 2023, he was elected a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. " Dr. Arthur Christopoulos on the web Monash University Wikipedia Google Scholar LinkedIn Dr. GPCR AI Summary Quick recap Yamina and Arthur discussed Arthur's career journey in pharmacology, including his mentors and significant discoveries related to allosteric receptors. They explored the evolution of the field, allosteric modulation concepts, and potential therapeutic approaches involving autoantibodies and allosteric modulators. Additionally, they covered the importance of target product profiles, reproducibility in experiments, and collaborative efforts such as a potential book on GPCR history. Next steps - Arthur will continue to collaborate with other researchers and drug companies to advance the understanding and application of allosteric modulation. - Arthur will work on designing ligands for specific receptors, aiming to create biased agonists for therapeutic use. Summary Arthur's Career Journey and Allosteric Receptors Yamina and Arthur discussed Arthur's career journey and his contributions to the field of pharmacology, with a focus on allosteric receptors and their modulation. Arthur highlighted his mentors' influence, such as Fred Mitchelson and Nigel Burch, and significant discoveries like the concept of synthetic allosteric modulators by Bruns and Fergus. He also discussed the evolution of the field, from biochemical radioligand binding assays to cell-based functional assays, and the influence of Terry Kenakin and chemical programs on his later work. The conversation ended with Arthur's ongoing research and his development of a new operational model. Yamina emphasized the importance of understanding the historical context of the field and the significance of Arthur's contributions. Allosteric Modulation and Hybrid Molecules Arthur and Yamina discussed the development of an operational model for allosteric modulation, emphasizing the balance between mechanism and empiricism. Arthur shared his career journey, including his collaboration with Patrick Sexton and Jim Burch, and the discovery of hybrid molecules with functional selectivity. They also discussed the re-emergence of interest in certain programs, the importance of connections across receptor families, and the potential of hybrid molecules. Arthur's strategy of consulting drug companies and targeting their posters at conferences was also shared with Yamina. Pharmaceutical Industry Experiences and GPCR History Arthur shared his experiences in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the differences between big pharma and biotech. They discussed strategies for analyzing large compound screening data, emphasizing robust assays and addressing issues like shifting curves. Arthur recounted a 2004 visit to a pharma company using replicates in assays. Yamina proposed compiling a book on GPCR history through collaborative interviews, considering a symposium to align terminology. For their upcoming project, Yamina favored a conversational approach, while Arthur suggested a kickoff meeting, with Yamina planning chapters and interviews. Bias Mitigation in Symposium Ideas Arthur and Yamina discussed the concept of bias in the context of the history of the Symposium idea. They reviewed significant early papers related to the topic, including work by Brian Roth, Terry Kenakin, Bill Clarke, and Kelly Burke. They also discussed their own research on chemokine receptors and the importance of understanding the natural environment in drug discovery. Lastly, they touched on a project with Nicola Smith that challenged their previous theories. Allosteric Modulation and Drug Discovery Yamina and Arthur delved into the complexities of protein-protein interactions, specifically allosteric modulation. They discussed various modulatory elements, such as RAMPs, G proteins, and GRKs, with Arthur recounting his initial collaboration with Patrick Sexton on RAMPs and amylin receptors. They also delved into the different signaling of Class B receptors and the potential for modulation at various levels. The discussion underscored the potential of allosteric modulators as drugs, despite challenges in the past due to a lack of understanding about the principles involved. They highlighted the importance of fine-tuning the approach to suit different diseases and interdisciplinary collaboration. The discussion also emphasized the need for a disease-specific approach, considering the clinical context and dialing in the desired effect, as well as the significance of rational drug design principles. Allosteric Modulation and Autoantibodies Discussion Arthur and Yamina discussed the potential of autoantibodies and allosteric modulation in the context of disease and therapeutic approaches. Arthur explained the concept of endogenous allosteric ligands and the possibility of using a neutral allosteric ligand as a preferred therapeutic approach, emphasizing the importance of looking for low level cooperativity factors. They also discussed the potential of certain drugs, like flumazenil, as 'nails' or compounds that could be developed into medicines. The conversation highlighted the importance of establishing the correct disease context, setting up appropriate assays, and understanding the models for their work. They both agreed on the necessity of understanding the target product for an allosteric modulator and working backwards from there. TPP, Allosteric Modulators, and Reproducibility Yamina and Arthur discussed the concept of a target product profile (TPP) in drug development, with Arthur explaining its application in other contexts as well. Yamina appreciated Arthur's expertise and indicated she would be creating an outline for an episode on allosteric modulators. They highlighted the importance of reproducibility in scientific experiments, sharing personal experiences and anecdotes. They also discussed their upcoming trips to the GPCR Colloquium in California and current research in their fields. Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Roger Sunahara About Dr. Roger Sunahara Professor Sunahara received his graduate training with Dr. Philip Seeman in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Toronto. He later joined the laboratory of eminent biochemical pharmacologist, Dr. Alfred G. Gilman, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School as a post-doctoral fellow. His training has provided a strong foundation and appreciation for the applications of pharmacology, biochemistry and structural biology to delineate mechanisms of action. Professor Sunahara started his independent research career in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School, where he climbed the academic ladder. In 2015 Professor Sunahara moved his laboratory to the Department of Pharmacology at the University of California in San Diego. His main area of research focuses on the structural and pharmacological bases for hormone-mediated activation of G proteins by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The Sunahara lab utilizes biochemical, biophysical and pharmacological methodologies to study GPCR-G protein interactions. These approaches were invaluable to resolve the crystal structure of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR)-G protein complex, team effort with long time collaborator Brian Kobilka . The structure was first snapshot of the agonist- and G protein-bound GPCR, providing valuable models for agonist-mediated activation of G proteins. We continue to utilize these data to better understand the basis for receptor-G protein specificity and agonist efficacy. Our mission is to understand the mechanism and structural bases for ligand binding and efficacy to help optimize the design and engineering of more efficacious therapeutics. This is an important perspective in the pursuit of receptor subtype-specific ligands, a major aspect to achieve safer, on-target therapeutics. One example of our recent work surrounds a structure-based effort to develop ligands that specifically target the beta2AR above all other adrenergic receptor isoforms. Our goal is to develop safer beta2AR-selective ligands for the treatment of asthma and acute rescue therapy for anaphylaxis. We also study non-canonical sites, those outside of the native hormone, or orthosteric, binding sites. We have identified several GPCR ligands that allosterically modulate orthosteric ligand binding and target sites that are often located in regions that display higher sequence variability among receptor subtypes. Again, our intention is to target specific receptor subtypes. The structural work on the GPCR-G protein complexes have also revealed some unprecedented conformational changes in G protein structure. Some of these changes are associated with G protein activation while the functional consequences of other structural changes remain elusive. More recently we have have been heavily engaged in studies to address the functional role of these dramatic conformational changes and the relationship to disease. Some of these studies resolved a major question regarding the signaling differences in G protein splice forms, specifically the short and long forms of the stimulatory G protein, Galpha-s(s) and Galpha-s(l), respectively. We demonstrated that Galpha-s(l), but not Galpha-s(s), regulates extracellularly regulated kinases (ERK), and that this long isoform is tied to a devastating blood disorder, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We speculate that these aberrations in Galpha-s(l), specifically, may be involved in other pathologies such as cancer. The Sunahara lab has also been developing protein-based therapeutics using structure-guided design and validation. A notable therapeutic is an enzyme that hydrolyzes cocaine. Through structural and computational approaches the Sunahara lab and collaborators developed a thermostable form of the enzyme that has recently progressed through Phase II clinical trials as an antidote for cocaine overdose. The laboratory continues to engineer the enzyme to optimize its potential as a treatment for cocaine abuse, a debilitating disease that would require long-term and sustained therapeutic actions. Dr. Roger Sunahara on the web UCSD Profile Google Scholar ResearchGate LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

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<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Stephen Ferguson About Dr. Stephen Ferguson Dr. Stephen Ferguson is a Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. He did B.Sc. in biology at McGill University and received his Ph.D. under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Collier in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University (1994). He did his postdoctoral training with Dr. Marc G. Caron at Duke University (1994-1997), where he and his colleagues investigated the role of G protein-coupled receptor kinases and beta-arrestin in regulating G protein-coupled receptor endocytosis, trafficking, and signaling. He has held four Canada Research Chairs since 2001 and was previously a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada MacDonald Scholar (1998-2003) and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Career Investigator (2003-2016). He was a recipient of Canada's Top 40 under 40 award in 2004 and received Queen Elizabeth II, Diamond Jubilee Medal, in 2012. He has also received both Junior (2001) and Senior (2005) investigator awards from the Pharmacological Society of Canada. Most recently, in 2021, he was elected as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Science (FCAHS). His research career has focused on the investigation of the regulation of G protein-coupled receptors signaling mechanisms in health and disease. He currently holds multiple research grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for his research investigating the role of metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling in Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Stephen Ferguson on the web Carlton University Canada Research Chairs Twitter ResearchGate LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

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<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Nicholas Holliday About Dr. Nicholas Holliday After an undergraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, Nick carried out his Ph.D. at King’s College London, supported by an AJ Clark Ph.D. studentship from the British Pharmacological Society. It was these studies and subsequent postdoctoral work that led to Nick's interest in peptide messengers regulating appetite, metabolism, and the immune system, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling and regulation of their GPCRs. Nick joined the University of Nottingham in 2006, where he is now Associate Professor, establishing a lab focused on G protein-coupled receptor kinetics, signaling, and trafficking and on using novel imaging techniques, such as fluorescent ligands and complementation methods, to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Since 2019, Nick has combined his university role with the leadership of Excellerate Bioscience as Chief Scientific Officer, a contract research organization specializing in molecular and cellular pharmacology. Excellerate is involved in several pre-clinical drug discovery projects for both GPCR and non-GPCR targets, using its expertise in pharmacology to deliver high-quality target validation, lead optimization, and mechanism of action studies for our clients. Dr. Nicholas Holliday on the web LinkedIn ORCID University of Nottingham Twitter Excellerate Bio Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Martin Audet About Dr. Martin Audet Structural biologist, pharmacologist, and a professor of pharmacology at Université de Sherbrooke. He is the head of the AudetLab located at the Institute of Pharmacology of Sherbrooke and is an emerging leader in the structural biology of G Protein-Coupled Receptors and passive transporters. Strong education with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in biochemistry under the supervision of Michel Bouvier at Université de Montréal, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellow at Scripps Research in San Diego and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles as a member of Raymond Stevens group. Dr. Martin Audet on the web LinkedIn Twitter Sherbrooke University Google Scholar Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Evi Kostenis About Dr. Evi Kostenis "Pharmacist by training - PhD in Pharmacology - Postdoc at the NIH with Dr. Juergen Wess - Postdoc and Group leader in Aventis, now Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany - Head of in vitro Pharmacology at 7TM Pharma in Denmark; Full professor, department chair and director of the institute for pharmaceutical Biology at the University of Bonn. Research interests: Signaling mechanisms involving GPCRs and heterotrimeric G proteins" Dr. Evi Kostenis on the web University of Bonn ResearchGate LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Kaavya Krishna Kumar About Dr. Kaavya Krishna Kumar "I am a postdoc in Prof. Brian Kobilka's lab at Stanford University, USA. I work on understanding the activation mechanism of different Families of GPCRs." Dr. Kaavya Krishna Kumar on the web Journal of Biology Chemistry Stanford University Google Scholar LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Juan José Fung About Dr. Juan José Fung Dr. Juan José Fung is a Principal Scientist at GPCR Therapeutics, Inc , a drug discovery company focused on targeting GPCR heteromers in cancer, headquartered in Seoul, Korea, with an R&D facility in the SF Bay Area. Dr. Fung received his Ph.D. from the Stanford University School of Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Kobilka , studying the dimerization of GPCRs. Dr. Fung continued his Postdoctoral training in Dr. Kobilka’s lab contributing to the elucidation of high-resolution structures of various GPCRs. Dr. Fung has spent significant time in the industry studying membrane proteins, antibodies, and HTS methods for drug discovery. His current work is mainly focused on screening and assay development to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo GPCR pharmacology. Dr. Juan José Fung on the web LinkedIn GPCR Therapeutics Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman, Victoria Rasmussen and Madelyn Moore About Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman " Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman graduated in 2006 with a BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Alexandria University (Egypt) followed by MSc in Pharmacology in the same university that was conferred in 2009. He joined the laboratory of Dr. William Cole at the University of Calgary in 2010 for his Ph.D. where he studied the molecular basis underlying altered cerebrovascular function and blood flow in type 2 diabetes. In 2015, He joined Dr. Stephen Ferguson’s laboratory in the Departments of Cellular & Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa as a Postdoctoral Fellow to explore novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) candidates that can be targeted pharmacologically to slow neurodegeneration. He has been also studying what aspects of GPCR signaling are regulated in a sex-selective manner and how this can influence drug discovery in the area of neurodegenerative diseases. He is also a Registered Pharmacist in Canada and held two of the most prestigious Clinician Postdoctoral Fellowships offered by Alberta Innovates and Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He received the Canadian Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Postdoctoral and Publication awards along with many Young Scientist Awards from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. " Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman on the web Twitter PubMed Google Scholar Dr. GPCR About Victoria Rasmussen "Victoria Rasmussen is a graduate fellow in Dr. Thomas Sakmar’s laboratory at The Rockefeller University, where she study’s the signaling and degradation of G protein-coupled receptors. She completed her undergraduate education at Providence College, receiving a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in psychology. During her time at Providence College, she received the Walsh Grant Fellowship to develop novel methods of synthesizing 2 -imidazoline scaffolds to be used as proteasome modulators in the laboratory of Travis Bethel. Victoria started her Ph.D. at the Tri-Institutional Ph.D. program in Chemical Biology, where she joined the lab of Thomas Sakmar at The Rockefeller University. She is currently working to understand the signaling and degradation of GPCRs in disease states to help test the feasibility of using protein-targeted degradation as a therapeutic strategy. " Victoria Rasmussen on the web Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology Rockefeller University LinkedIn Dr. GPCR About Madelyn Moore "Madelyn (Maddi) earned her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2020. In her time as an undergraduate, Maddi was a researcher in Dr. Amanda Klein's lab where she helped to investigate the role of various ATP-sensitive potassium channels in pain and opioid tolerance. From there, she went on to be a research technologist in Dr. Richard Vile's lab at Mayo Clinic where she aided the evaluation of tumor-specific oncolytic viruses. Maddi is currently a second year Ph.D. student in the Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (MPaT) Graduate Program at the University of Minnesota. Advised by Dr. Lauren Slosky, she is working to understand the mechanism by which a new class of biased allosteric modulators for the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) act to attenuate the behavioral effects of methamphetamine." Madelyn Moore on the web MPaT PubMed LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Career coach Lauren Solano on the skills PhDs undersell, the careers they don't know exist, and the introspection exercise that maps functions to scientific training. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Lauren Solano: Mapping Careers Beyond the Bench This episode steps outside the usual GPCR research conversation to examine the career architecture around it. Lauren Solano, CEO and co-founder of Propel Careers, has spent more than a decade coaching PhDs and postdocs and recruiting for biotech and life sciences companies — a vantage point that makes her uncommonly clear about the gap between how scientists describe themselves and how the market reads them. The discussion explores how to translate scientific training into career options that are often invisible to bench scientists, ranging from medical science liaison and clinical research roles to business development, scientific communications, venture capital, and consulting. Solano unpacks the specific transferable skills PhDs consistently undersell — collaboration, leadership, proactive ownership, communicating across technical audiences — and introduces concrete tools for self-assessment and exploration, including the "loved it, loathed it" exercise and a permission-granted approach to informational interviewing. For Solano, the stakes are personal: she didn't know the career she now has was even possible in 2008, which is precisely why she maps the option space for the scientists she coaches today. About the Guest Lauren Solano is CEO and co-founder of Propel Careers, a Boston-based firm that coaches scientists and recruits for biotech and life sciences companies. She trained as a scientist and spent her first decade in preclinical and early clinical drug discovery before pursuing an MBA in 2007 and co-founding Propel in 2009. Her practice centers on helping PhDs and postdocs translate technical training into career paths they often don't realize are open to them. Each year she delivers roughly a hundred talks at universities and research institutions on resumes, negotiation, informational interviewing, and the mechanics of biotech hiring. Scientific Themes of the Conversation The gap between scientific training and the career vocabulary scientists need Transferable skills in the PhD toolkit — and why they go unlisted Informational interviewing as a research method for career planning The limits and real signals of "company culture" in biotech COVID-era shifts in scientist hiring and career reflection Title-function mismatches in life sciences job descriptions Key Insights from the Conversation 1. The "loved it, loathed it" exercise as a career compass Over any given week, note which tasks you enjoyed and which you dreaded. Separate that list from what you're good at — the overlap reveals which career functions, not titles, are worth exploring next. 2. Function over title Job titles in biotech are often creative and inconsistent — a medical science liaison might be called a "clinical information specialist." Scientists navigating a career change are better served mapping careers by tasks and functions first, and treating titles as secondary metadata. 3. PhDs consistently undersell their transferable skills After thousands of conversations with scientists, Solano has found that collaboration, leadership, proactive ownership, and translating technical content across audiences are not universal traits. PhDs tend to have them in unusual concentration — and tend to leave them off their resumes because they assume everyone else has them too. 4. Informational interviews are already permitted Graduate students and postdocs often feel uneasy reaching out to people in other careers, as if the exploration hasn't been earned. Solano reframes this directly: because training ends, career exploration is required, and most people will give fifteen minutes if asked well. 5. "Company culture" is meaningless until you can point at behaviors Every company claims a strong culture. What matters is whether office layout, mentorship practices, and daily behaviors support the claim. The sharper question is what the company does , not what it says. 6. Safety at work is a concrete culture signal Would an employee feel comfortable telling a manager their child is sick, or would they invent another reason? Whether people feel safe at work is a harder measure of culture than any mission statement. 7. Post-pandemic career decisions are about alignment, not just advancement Solano observes that many scientists are using the moment to ask whether their current work matches who they are — not to chase the next rung, but to reset toward impact. Episode Timeline 00:00 Intro and Dr. GPCR Summit preview 01:30 Meet Lauren Solano and Propel Careers 03:11 The path from bench science to career coaching 07:56 Loved it, loathed it — the introspection exercise 10:29 Career options PhDs rarely consider 11:49 Transferable skills scientists undervalue 14:16 The informational interview — permission granted 23:57 The COVID shift in biotech hiring 26:14 Assessing real company culture 31:34 Master resumes and the title trap Timestamps were generated using AI for readability. Selected Quotes "If you had asked me in 2008 if I would be a recruiter slash career coach, I didn't even know that was possible because it hadn't even occurred to me that that is something that would have been a fit." "None of you should be ever worried or afraid or feel awkward reaching out to people for informational interviews because you are supposed to think about your future and learn about different things." "I can tell you in speaking with thousands of PhDs, not everyone is collaborative. Not everyone likes to do novel areas of research. Not everyone is amazing at communicating both to technical audiences and non-technical audiences. So don't undersell your experiences." "Life is frail, right? So if we're not making a difference, if we're not impacting something, why are we doing it?" About this episode In this special Dr. GPCR podcast episode, we sat down to chat with Lauren Celano to talk about career options for Ph.D.’s. Working in a lab allows scientists to gain amazing hard and soft skills, which opens the doors to several great careers that many have not even considered, yet. Lauren has a science background and is passionate about helping talented scientists find their dream position. She is also a speaker, connector, recruiter, and coach. Lauren Celano on the web LinkedIn Propel Careers Email: Lauren@propelcareers.com Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

A conversation with Dr. Tore Bengtsson on β₂-adrenergic receptor signaling, muscle metabolism, and how GPCR pharmacology can lead to new therapies for metabolic disease. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Tore Bengtsson: Rethinking β₂-Adrenergic Signaling in Metabolic Disease Scientific Abstract This conversation with Dr. Tore Bengtsson , professor of physiology at Stockholm University, explores how β-adrenergic receptor signaling can be reimagined to address metabolic disease, muscle physiology, and energy balance. Dr. Bengtsson’s research spans sympathetic nervous system signaling, brown adipose tissue biology, and skeletal muscle metabolism—fields deeply connected to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic health. A central theme of the discussion is the pharmacology of the β₂-adrenergic receptor , a GPCR traditionally associated with bronchodilation but increasingly recognized for its broader physiological roles. Dr. Bengtsson describes how classical β₂ agonists stimulate muscle growth and metabolic changes but are limited by receptor desensitization. His work focuses on developing novel β₂-adrenergic ligands that selectively engage signaling pathways without triggering rapid desensitization, enabling sustained metabolic effects. The conversation also examines how GPCR signaling is far more complex than a single downstream pathway. Instead, receptors integrate multiple signaling outputs, temporal dynamics, and interactions with other pathways to shape physiological outcomes. Dr. Bengtsson discusses how understanding this signaling complexity opens opportunities to design drugs that promote beneficial metabolic responses such as muscle growth and increased energy expenditure. Listeners gain insight into how basic GPCR pharmacology can translate into therapeutic strategies targeting metabolism, aging, and metabolic disease. About the Guest Dr. Tore Bengtsson is a professor of physiology at Stockholm University whose research focuses on sympathetic nervous system signaling, metabolic regulation, and skeletal muscle physiology. His work investigates how β-adrenergic receptors regulate energy metabolism, muscle growth, and glucose homeostasis. Dr. Bengtsson began his research career studying brown adipose tissue under the mentorship of Dr. Barbara Cannon and Dr. Jan Nedergaard, pioneers in thermogenesis research. His laboratory now explores how β₂-adrenergic receptor signaling can be manipulated to influence metabolism and muscle physiology. He is also an entrepreneur and founder of biotechnology companies translating GPCR pharmacology into therapeutic development. Scientific Themes of the Conversation β-adrenergic receptor pharmacology and signaling bias Sympathetic nervous system control of metabolism Brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis Skeletal muscle metabolism and glucose homeostasis GPCR signaling complexity and pathway selectivity Translating receptor pharmacology into metabolic therapeutics Key Insights from the Conversation A Childhood Physiological Experiment Sparked a Scientific Career Dr. Bengtsson recounts a formative experience when his father pushed him into icy water as a child to demonstrate survival in cold conditions. The intense physiological response—an adrenaline surge and rapid adaptation to cold—sparked his lifelong fascination with sympathetic nervous system signaling and stress physiology. Stress Is Not Always Negative A recurring theme in the discussion is that physiological stress is often misunderstood. Short bursts of stress—whether exercise, cold exposure, or sympathetic activation—can trigger adaptive responses that improve metabolic function and resilience. Muscle Is Central to Metabolic Health While brown fat has received considerable attention, Dr. Bengtsson emphasizes the dominant role of skeletal muscle in metabolic regulation. Approximately 75% of glucose disposal occurs in muscle, making muscle physiology central to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Classical β₂ Agonists Have a Fundamental Limitation Traditional β₂-adrenergic agonists can stimulate muscle growth and fat loss but lose effectiveness over time due to receptor desensitization. This pharmacological limitation prevents their long-term use for metabolic therapies. GPCRs Do Not Produce a Single Signal Dr. Bengtsson highlights that GPCR signaling is inherently multidimensional. Activation of a receptor can generate multiple signaling pathways, and different ligands can bias signaling toward specific outcomes. Understanding this complexity is essential for modern drug discovery. Absence of a Signal Can Be a Discovery One of Dr. Bengtsson’s key scientific breakthroughs came from an unexpected experimental result: glucose uptake without detectable cAMP signaling. Rather than dismissing the result as an error, this observation led to the realization that β₂ signaling could be separated into distinct pathways. Scientific Discovery Requires Intellectual Independence Dr. Bengtsson advises young scientists to shift from passively following instructions to actively questioning experiments and interpretations. True scientific thinking begins when researchers take intellectual ownership of the questions they pursue. Episode Timeline 00:00 Introduction and research focus of Dr. Bengtsson 03:00 A childhood experiment that sparked interest in physiology 07:00 Cold exposure, sympathetic signaling, and brown fat research 10:00 β₂-adrenergic receptors and muscle physiology 15:00 Exercise, metabolism, and pharmacological modulation of muscle growth 17:30 Early research on brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis 22:30 Translating academic discoveries into biotech companies 25:00 GPCR signaling complexity and biased signaling 36:00 A key experimental observation leading to a new drug concept 38:30 Advice for young scientists and intellectual independence Selected Quotes “You will not know what happens before you do the experiment.” “People think a receptor produces one signal. In reality, a receptor produces many signals.” “Sometimes the most important discovery is when a signal is missing.” “You have to move from being told what to do to thinking for yourself.” Full Transcript (Formatted for readability — full transcript preserved) Yamina Berchiche: Hello, everyone. This is Yamina from Dr. GPCR. And today I'm very excited to have with me Dr. Tore Bengtsson. Dr. Bengtsson: Tore Bengtsson. And you got it right. Yamina Berchiche: I'm happy to have you on. For those who don't know, we've been chasing each other and postponing this conversation several times. I'm very excited that we're finally able to do it today. Dr. Bengtsson: Thank you. I'm very happy to be here. Yamina Berchiche: Let's start at the beginning. Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your research? Dr. Bengtsson: I'm a professor in physiology at Stockholm University. I've been working with pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and the mechanisms behind these diseases for about 25 years. I'm especially interested in β-adrenergic receptors because I believe they regulate far more physiological processes than people typically assume. I'm also an entrepreneur. I've started several companies. One is Sigrid Therapeutics, which focuses on digestion and metabolic regulation. Another company, Atrogi, is based on our research on β₂-adrenergic receptors and the development of new drugs. We’ve already completed Phase I clinical trials and are preparing for Phase II. Yamina Berchiche: If you were not a scientist, what would you be doing? Dr. Bengtsson: I think I might have been a historian or a writer. I like storytelling. I'm very interested in Viking runes and ancient rune stones in Scandinavia. I can actually read runic inscriptions, and I find it fascinating to interpret what these stones tell us about history. Yamina Berchiche: How did you become a scientist? Dr. Bengtsson: I'll tell you a story I don't share very often. When I was about ten years old, I lived on an island in the Stockholm archipelago. My father and I went ice skating frequently during the winter. One summer he asked me: “What happens if you fall through the ice?” I said I didn't know. He replied: “We should test it.” Months later, during winter, he cut a hole in the ice. I asked what he was doing. He said he was catching a big fish. Suddenly he pushed me into the icy water. I went under, looked up at the hole in the ice, and quickly swam out. I remember the intense adrenaline surge. My body reacted instantly. I wasn't even cold at first. Walking home later I started to freeze, but in that moment I experienced a powerful physiological response. That event sparked my lifelong fascination with sympathetic nervous system activation. Yamina Berchiche: So your father pushed you into science quite literally. Dr. Bengtsson: Yes — and into physiology. Yamina Berchiche: And that connects directly to your later work on brown fat and sympathetic signaling. Dr. Bengtsson: Exactly. I've spent many years studying brown adipose tissue and how sympathetic activation stimulates thermogenesis. Later I became increasingly interested in skeletal muscle metabolism and how β₂-adrenergic signaling affects muscle growth and glucose metabolism. Yamina Berchiche: Could you talk about how β₂-adrenergic signaling relates to muscle growth? Dr. Bengtsson: For many years it's been known that β₂ agonists can stimulate muscle growth and reduce fat. This has been observed in athletes and even in livestock production. But traditional β₂ agonists lose effectiveness over time because the receptor becomes desensitized. The body adapts, requiring higher doses. That makes them unsuitable as long-term therapeutic drugs. So about 15–20 years ago I began working on the idea that we need a new type of β₂ agonist—one that activates the receptor differently and avoids desensitization. That’s what we’ve now achieved with new compounds that stimulate the receptor in a novel way. Yamina Berchiche: You mentioned something very important earlier: GPCRs don’t produce a single signal. Dr. Bengtsson: Yes. Traditionally people thought receptor activation leads to one downstream pathway. But GPCRs activate multiple signaling pathways simultaneously. Different ligands can bias signaling toward different pathways. That means we can design compounds that favor beneficial physiological responses while avoiding unwanted effects. That is exactly what makes GPCR pharmacology so fascinating and powerful. Yamina Berchiche: You mentioned an important experimental moment that led to your drug concept. Dr. Bengtsson: Yes. A doctoral student ran an experiment measuring glucose uptake. The compound produced strong glucose uptake but almost no cAMP signaling. She thought the experiment had failed. But I realized this might be something important: glucose uptake without cAMP. And that turned out to be correct. That observation opened the door to separating signaling pathways and designing new β₂ ligands. Yamina Berchiche: What advice would you give to young scientists? Dr. Bengtsson: Young scientists often follow instructions without asking why. Real science begins when you take control of the question. You must move from being told what to do to thinking independently. You have to be in the driver's seat of your own thinking. Yamina Berchiche: That’s a powerful message. Dr. Bengtsson: And another lesson I learned from my wife: success often depends not just on knowledge but on understanding how other people think. Science is not just experiments. It's communication, persuasion, and collaboration. Yamina Berchiche: Dr. Bengtsson, thank you very much for the conversation. Dr. Bengtsson: Thank you. This was great. Yamina Berchiche: Bye. Dr. Bengtsson: Bye-bye. Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

How receptor residence time — not affinity — rescued a CRF drug discovery program, and why a career in GPCR data analysis starts with asking what the math never captured. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Sam Hoare: Receptor Residence Time and GPCR Data Analysis For most of GPCR pharmacology's history, affinity was the number that drove decisions. Which ligand binds tightest, ranks highest, earns the most attention in an SAR campaign. But affinity is a snapshot. It tells you how tightly a compound binds at equilibrium — not how long it stays. When Sam Hoare and the CRF receptor team at Neurocrin Biosciences discovered that their lead compound sat on the receptor for seven hours while a failed backup fell off in fifteen minutes, it exposed a variable drug discovery had been systematically ignoring. That discovery became the foundation of a career built on the data most pharmacologists generate but don't analyze. Sam Hoare brings a data analyst's perspective to GPCR pharmacology — one trained in allosteric modulation, sharpened in Class B receptor biology at the NIH, and refined across fifteen years of industrial drug discovery. His current work extends that logic into signaling kinetics: the time dimension in GPCR signaling that labs routinely measure and almost never formally quantify. For Hoare, the unsolved problem isn't the biology — it's the math no one wrote down. About the Guest Sam Hoare is the founder of Pharmechanics , a pharmacology data analysis consultancy. After a PhD on allosteric modulation of dopamine receptors in Philip Strange's UK lab and a postdoc at the National Institutes of Health studying Class B GPCRs, he spent fifteen years at Neurocrin Biosciences working on CRF receptor drug discovery programs that advanced compounds into clinical trials. Hoare now consults for biotech and pharmaceutical clients on GPCR data analysis, receptor binding kinetics, and pharmacological modeling. His independent research focuses on developing accessible mathematical tools for kinetic analysis of GPCR signaling data, including freely available Prism templates and Excel simulators. Scientific Themes of the Conversation Receptor residence time as a determinant of in vivo drug efficacy — and why affinity alone is insufficient Signaling kinetics: quantifying the time dimension of GPCR pharmacology Allosteric modulation and the mathematical foundations of receptor theory Biased agonism and constitutive activity as practical tools in the drug discovery toolbox The tractability of GPCRs as a pharmacological system — assay accessibility, theory, and the generous culture of the field Scientific consulting: translating deep pharmacological expertise into independent problem-solving practice Key Insights from the Conversation 1. The Off-Rate That Saved a Program Standard binding assays showed identical affinity. But when Beth Fleck measured dissociation rates of the CRF receptor radioligands, the compound that worked in vivo stayed on the receptor for seven hours at room temperature. The failed backup fell off in fifteen minutes. The Neurocrin team had to confront an explanation no assay had been designed to find — and then built new SAR campaigns around it. 2. Affinity Is a Snapshot; Time Is the Story Hoare draws a sharp analogy: running pharmacology dose-response experiments for decades without fitting a sigmoid curve to calculate EC50 would be considered absurd. Yet that is precisely how most labs treat time-course signaling data — collecting it, plotting it, and moving on without extracting a quantitative parameter. His ongoing research exists to close that gap. 3. GPCR Theory Was Built to Be Used One of Hoare's recurring arguments is that GPCRs are unusually tractable — not just as biological targets, but as analytical systems. The underlying pharmacological theory, from operational models of agonism to allosteric binding equations, was designed to be applied by bench scientists. The barrier is not the math itself but the habit of reaching for it. 4. A Mentor Who Worked at the Bench During a difficult stretch of his NIH postdoc, Hoare's supervisor Ted Usdin handed him a defined molecular biology project and spent two months working alongside him at the bench. The intervention was straightforward. The effect on Hoare's confidence — and ultimately his career — was not. He describes it as one of the moments his career most depended on. 5. The Variable Most Drug Programs Miss The CRF residence time story is not unique in Hoare's telling. Across multiple programs — including work on a vesicular transporter where in vitro affinity at pH 7.4 vanished entirely at the physiological vesicle pH of 5.5 — the pattern recurs: assays designed for convenience rather than physiological relevance produce data that can't predict what happens in vivo. The pharmacologist's job is to identify which variable is missing. 6. Emotional Intelligence as a Consultant's Core Skill Hoare was not expecting consulting to teach him about emotional intelligence. What he found was that clients arriving with a data problem are rarely arriving with just a data problem. The ability to serve as a sounding board — to help people relax around their data and see what was obscured by the pressure of having it not make sense — turned out to be as important as the pharmacological expertise he was hired for. 7. Early-Career Researchers Know More Than They Think Hoare makes an argument that surprised him when he first articulated it: a newly minted PhD who has spent six years on a single GPCR target knows things a company working on that receptor genuinely cannot find anywhere else. The practical knowledge of what buffer conditions work, what assay artifacts to expect, what the literature actually shows — that depth of expertise is marketable, and most early-career scientists don't recognize that they have it. Episode Timeline Timestamps are AI-generated from the transcript and may not reflect final edited video timing. 00:00 Sponsor message 00:35 Introducing Sam Hoare: pharmacology data analyst and GPCR consultant 03:19 Origin story — the ATP calculation that first connected math to biology 06:16 PhD with Philip Strange: allosteric modulation of dopamine receptors and the first aha moment 16:53 Why GPCRs? Tractability, accessible theory, and a famously generous field 22:55 NIH postdoc: Class B GPCRs, mentorship, and conversations with Nobel laureates 35:38 Into industry: the CRF receptor team at Neurocrin Biosciences 43:25 The off-rate aha moment: seven hours on the receptor versus fifteen minutes 52:22 Founding PharmaChanics: the decision to leave industry and go independent 01:16:46 Signaling kinetics: the time dimension most pharmacologists skip 01:45:04 Biased agonism and residence time as tools in the drug discovery toolbox 01:52:09 Building a consulting practice: network, marketing, and knowing your worth 02:05:22 Top three aha moments from a career in pharmacological data analysis Selected Quotes "The one that works had a really long residence time on the receptor. We measured it at room temperature and it didn't come off after seven hours. There was just no dissociation. And the one that didn't work in vivo came off in fifteen minutes." "Imagine doing pharmacology dose-response experiments for twenty years without applying the sigmoid curve fit to determine the EC50. To me, that's what we've been doing with time-course signaling data." "He basically gave me a cookie-cutter molecular biology project and worked with me at the bench directly for two months. It completely restored my confidence. I kind of owe a lot of my career to Ted." "My talent really is in data analysis. People would always come to me for that rather than for doing the experiments — and one of the reasons I set up my consultancy was that biology was becoming so technical that it was like I decided to specialize." About Dr. Samuel Hoare Sam completed his Ph.D. in biochemistry, studying allosteric modulation of dopamine receptors, from the University of Kent, United Kingdom. He then moved to the National Institute of Mental Health, researching pharmacological mechanisms of Class B GPCRs as part of his postdoctoral training. Today, Sam is a pharmacology data analyst and the founder of Pharmechanics LLC , a consultancy and data analysis company supporting pharmaceutical, life science, and academic scientists in the development of new therapeutics and the understanding of receptor systems. As an industry pharmacologist, he consults with numerous pharma and biotechs in understanding and applying in vitro pharmacology data to advance drug discovery. He specializes in kinetic analysis of drug action and is known for applying binding kinetics to the development of effective therapeutics, particularly GPCR antagonists. Before founding Pharmechanics in 2016, Dr. Hoare was a pharmacology leader in the pharmaceutical industry for 15 years at Neurocrine Biosciences . He guided the in vitro biology efforts of the company for numerous drug discovery campaigns. Sam is known for demystifying complicated and newly-emerging pharmacology concepts, enabling them to be applied by project teams in optimizing new molecules. I very much enjoyed chatting with Sam about his love for GPCRs, kinetics, and decorticate the complexities of GPCR function to better target receptors. Dr. Samuel Hoare on the web Pharmechanics LLC LinkedIn Pubmed Google Scholar YouTube Dr. GPCR Member ResearchGate Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Julia Gardner About Julia Gardner Julia is a senior undergraduate student at Duke University, where she studies chemistry and Chinese. Julia has been working as a researcher in Duke's Rajagopal Lab since her first year as an undergraduate. In the Rajagopal Lab, Julia studies the mechanisms of 'biased signaling' at GPCRs, with a specific focus on the chemokine receptor CXCR3. She recently led a project that demonstrated the GPCR kinases (GRKs) can translocate to endosomes, and that the subcellular localization of the GRKs affects a GPCR's biased signaling profile. Last summer, Julia worked at as the first-ever summer intern at Septerna, the GPCR-based biotechnology company founded by Duke Nobel laureate Dr. Robert Lefkowitz. In the fall, Julia will begin her MD/PhD training. Julia Gardner on the web Rajagopal Lab Google Scholar ResearchGate LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Discover how Joseph Kim’s curiosity for science led him into GPCR research, drug discovery, and membrane protein biology—plus practical insights on building a scientific career. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Anita Nivedha: Computational Dynamics of Ligand Bias in GPCR Signaling Scientific Abstract G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit extracellular signals through conformational changes that propagate from ligand-binding sites to intracellular signaling partners. Understanding how ligand binding leads to specific signaling outcomes—particularly ligand bias toward G protein or β-arrestin pathways—remains a major challenge in GPCR pharmacology and drug discovery. In this conversation, Dr. Anita Nivedha discusses computational approaches to decoding signal propagation within GPCR structures. Using molecular dynamics simulations combined with network analysis of residue communication pathways, Dr. Nivedha describes how allosteric signaling within receptors can be quantified at atomic resolution. During her postdoctoral work, she developed a computational framework that maps communication pathways from ligand-binding pockets to intracellular effector interfaces, enabling prediction of ligand bias directly from structural simulations. The discussion explores how microscopic structural communication within receptors correlates with experimentally observed signaling outcomes, providing a bridge between structural biology and pharmacology. Dr. Nivedha also reflects on broader implications for receptor subtype selectivity, peptide receptor pharmacology, and the evolving role of computational pharmacology in modern drug discovery. Together, these perspectives illustrate how simulations can move beyond visualization to become quantitative tools for understanding receptor activation and guiding GPCR-targeted therapeutics. About the Guest Dr. Nivedha is a computational biologist specializing in molecular simulations and computational pharmacology. Her work focuses on understanding how ligand binding propagates structural signals through GPCRs using molecular dynamics simulations and network-based analysis of residue communication pathways. During her postdoctoral research, Dr. Nivedha developed computational approaches to quantify ligand bias by analyzing communication routes between extracellular ligand-binding sites and intracellular signaling interfaces. Her work has also explored receptor subtype selectivity and peptide-binding GPCRs, connecting structural dynamics to pharmacological outcomes relevant for drug discovery. Scientific Themes of the Conversation Allosteric communication networks within GPCR structures Computational quantification of ligand bias Molecular dynamics simulations of receptor activation Structural determinants of GPCR subtype selectivity Integrating computational pharmacology with experimental GPCR biology Translating structural dynamics into drug discovery insights Key Insights from the Conversation Computational Pathways Can Reveal Ligand Bias Dr. Nivedha describes how communication pathways inside GPCR structures can be mapped using molecular dynamics simulations. By counting signaling routes connecting ligand-binding sites to intracellular interfaces, simulations can reproduce experimentally measured ligand bias. Allosteric Communication Explains Signal Propagation Ligand binding does not directly trigger signaling. Instead, information travels through networks of interacting amino acids across the receptor structure, forming allosteric communication pathways that connect extracellular ligand binding to intracellular signaling outcomes. Simulations Provide Dynamic Views of Receptor Function Static structures capture only one moment in receptor activation. Molecular dynamics simulations allow researchers to observe proteins in motion and analyze conformational transitions that drive receptor signaling. Structural Communication Reveals Functional Residues Mapping communication networks identifies key residues involved in signal propagation. These residues may represent potential targets for allosteric modulators that reshape receptor signaling pathways. Computational Methods Complement Experimental Pharmacology Experimental assays measure pathway activation, but they do not directly reveal the structural mechanisms underlying signaling bias. Computational approaches provide a mechanistic bridge between receptor structure and pharmacological output. Subtype Selectivity Emerges from Subtle Structural Differences Even closely related receptor subtypes can display different ligand affinities. Structural simulations can reveal how binding pocket geometry and receptor dynamics contribute to subtype selectivity. Scientific Careers Often Evolve Unexpectedly Dr. Nivedha reflects on how her career in GPCR biology began unexpectedly during her postdoctoral work. What started as a general interest in protein dynamics evolved into a deep engagement with the GPCR field. Episode Timeline 00:00 — Introduction: From ligand binding to receptor signaling Overview of ligand bias and the challenge of tracing signal propagation within GPCR structures. 02:00 — Scientific background of Dr. Nivedha Bioinformatics training, computational chemistry, and early research in carbohydrate–protein interactions. 07:30 — First encounters with GPCR structural biology Transition from studying general protein dynamics to the complexities of GPCR signaling. 16:45 — Studying allosteric communication in GPCRs Introduction to computational tools for mapping communication pathways inside proteins. 18:30 — Quantifying ligand bias using molecular simulations Development of a computational framework linking communication pathways to signaling outcomes. 20:00 — Applications to subtype selectivity and receptor pharmacology Using structural communication analysis to explain differences in ligand affinity across receptor subtypes. 26:00 — Academic–industry collaborations in GPCR drug discovery Insights from collaborative research with pharmaceutical partners. 46:00 — Scientific turning points and career insights Key moments that shaped Dr. Nivedha’s research direction. 52:00 — Reflections on GPCR research and future directions Perspectives on the diversity and continuing importance of GPCR biology. Selected Quotes “Communication pathways connect the ligand-binding site to the intracellular signaling interface, and those pathways are made of residues along the way.” “By counting the number of communication pathways toward G proteins versus arrestins, we began to see correlations with experimental ligand bias.” “Molecular dynamics simulations allow us to simulate proteins in motion and understand the conformational changes that drive receptor activation.” “Simulations stopped being just visualizations—they became measurements that could inform predictions for drug discovery.” Full Transcript (Formatted for readability) Introduction Yamina Berchiche: Hello listeners, Yamina here. Welcome to the Dr. GPCR podcast. If you’ve ever wanted to measure ligand bias, you’ve probably looked at the activation of different signaling pathways. But how does the binding of a ligand at the extracellular pocket of a receptor redirect residues within the receptor to activate signaling? That remains difficult to trace today. My guest today is Dr. Anita Nivedha, a computational biologist studying allosteric communication in GPCRs. She uses molecular dynamics and network analysis to map signaling pathways through receptors. During her postdoctoral work on GPCR structure and function, one problem stood out: can simulations quantify ligand bias inside receptor structures? One evening running analyses alone in the lab, a pattern appeared. Communication routes toward G proteins differed from those toward arrestins. When she counted those pathways, the numbers tracked experimental bias. A computational framework for predicting ligand bias began to emerge. Those calculations linked microscopic communication within the receptor to macroscopic signaling outcomes. Suddenly, simulations were not just visualizations anymore—they were measurements. And measurement meant predictions for drug discovery. Before we dive into this episode, I invite you to check out the relevant links in the show notes. And now, let’s dive into this conversation with Dr. Nivedha. Guest Introduction Yamina Berchiche: Hello everyone, this is Yamina from Dr. GPCR. And I’m very excited today because this has been a long time in the works to have with me Dr. Anita Nivedha. Dr. Nivedha: Thank you so much for having me. I’m really excited for our conversation today. Yamina Berchiche: Let’s start at the beginning. Could you introduce yourself and tell our audience who you are and what you do? Dr. Nivedha: Absolutely. My name is Anita. I’m currently a senior scientist at a biotech in Toronto, Canada. Previously I worked at another company in Montreal offering computer-aided drug discovery services. Before that I was doing my postdoc in California in the lab of Dr. Nagarajan Vaidehi at City of Hope. That’s where I first got introduced to GPCRs. My PhD was in Georgia in the lab of Dr. Robert Woods, where I worked on carbohydrate ligands and docking scoring functions. My undergraduate degree was in bioinformatics in India, which is where my interest in computational approaches to biology started. Yamina Berchiche: Wonderful. And we did have Dr. Nagarajan on the podcast and I love chatting with her. She’s wonderful. Dr. Nivedha: Yeah, I actually listened to that podcast. I was very excited to see her on your podcast. Yamina Berchiche: She is wonderful. Thank you so much for that introduction. I have to ask—how did you get interested in science in general? Dr. Nivedha: Science was something I was interested in since middle school. I was always interested in biology, especially studying anatomy. At one point I was interested in becoming a medical doctor when I was younger. But as I grew up and learned more about biotechnology and the possibilities that existed, my interests diversified. Around high school I was introduced to programming. I started learning C and C++ programming and I really loved it. When it came time to choose my major for undergrad, I wanted something that combined both biology and computers. I didn’t even know such a field existed. But when I came across bioinformatics, I thought, “This is it.” It combined both things I liked. So my interest in science and computers kind of merged there, and that’s what I still do today. Women in Computational Science Yamina Berchiche: I love it. And I think other than you and Dr. Vaidehi, I don’t remember ever having female computational scientists on the podcast. And today is International Women’s Day, so we’re revealing when this podcast is being recorded. I was wondering if you could speak to your experience being a computational scientist. What’s the ratio of female versus male computational scientists in your experience? Dr. Nivedha: That’s a good question. When you mentioned that only a few female computational scientists have been on the podcast, I’m surprised—but also not surprised. During my PhD there was a better balance of men and women, although the lab was not purely computational. But since then, I’ve often been outnumbered. When I joined Dr. Vaidehi’s lab, I was the only woman apart from her initially. Later more women joined the group. But overall, I would say women are still underrepresented in computational fields. Discovering GPCRs Yamina Berchiche: You mentioned that you joined Dr. Vaidehi’s lab and that’s when you were first exposed to GPCRs. Do you remember the first time you looked at a GPCR on a computer? Was it just another protein target, or did you immediately feel it was something special? Dr. Nivedha: I’m trying to remember exactly when I first saw one. It was probably in VMD or another visualization tool we commonly use. At the time, I didn’t realize the full scope of GPCR biology. I didn’t yet appreciate how interesting and diverse they are, or how important they are as drug targets. Before that, my PhD focused on carbohydrate ligands interacting with proteins. So the proteins were more like partners for the glycans we studied. When I applied for postdocs, I was mostly interested in studying proteins in general—their structure, dynamics, and function. GPCRs were not specifically what I was looking for. But once I started working on them, I appreciated them more and more. Over time I realized how vast and exciting the field is. Postdoctoral Research Questions Yamina Berchiche: Let’s talk about your postdoc research. What were the main questions you were trying to answer? Dr. Nivedha: One of the main topics I worked on was allosteric communication in proteins. In GPCRs, a ligand binds at the extracellular side of the receptor. The result is activation of intracellular signaling partners like G proteins or β-arrestins. But how does the signal travel from the extracellular binding pocket to the intracellular interface? That transmission happens through communication pathways across the receptor structure. This is what we call allosteric communication. The lab had developed software to analyze these communication pathways. Using that framework, I worked on quantifying ligand bias computationally. We used molecular dynamics simulations and extracted communication pathways connecting the ligand binding site to intracellular interfaces. Then we compared pathways leading to G proteins versus β-arrestins. We applied this method to GPCR systems where experimental bias values were known. And interestingly, the computational results correlated with experimental measurements. That project became a collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim and eventually led to a publication. Applications to Receptor Selectivity Dr. Nivedha: After that, I extended this work to study subtype selectivity. Some GPCR families contain closely related subtypes. Ligands may bind one subtype strongly but another weakly. Using communication pathway analysis and simulations, we explored how structural differences between receptor subtypes influence ligand affinity. I also worked on collaborative projects involving peptide-binding receptors, including angiotensin receptors. Industry Collaboration Yamina Berchiche: Your work involved collaboration with industry. What did you learn from that experience? Dr. Nivedha: It was actually my first interaction with industry researchers. Our collaborator at Boehringer Ingelheim was also a computational scientist with deep GPCR knowledge. That made the collaboration really productive. They provided suggestions that were directly relevant to our work. It was a great learning experience. It also showed me how important GPCR research is in pharmaceutical development. Seeing how computational methods could be applied to real drug discovery questions was very motivating. That experience influenced my later decision to pursue industry roles. Career Reflections and Scientific Turning Points Yamina Berchiche: I’d love to hear about some “aha moments” in your career. Dr. Nivedha: One moment happened very early when I chose bioinformatics as my undergraduate major. I remember standing in a hall reading a pamphlet describing the program. When I saw that bioinformatics combined biology and computing, I knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do. Another moment came during my postdoc while working on the ligand bias project. One Friday evening I was alone in the lab running analyses. I decided to compare the number of communication pathways leading to G protein versus arrestin interfaces. When I saw that those numbers tracked experimentally observed ligand bias, I realized we might have discovered something important. That moment led to the development of the computational method we later published. Favorite GPCRs Yamina Berchiche: Do you have a favorite GPCR? Dr. Nivedha: That’s a difficult question. I don’t think I have one favorite receptor. It often depends on what I’m studying at the time. For example, I became fascinated with adhesion GPCRs when I learned about them. I also find olfactory receptors fascinating because of how challenging they are to study. And now that I work with peptide drug modalities, I’m interested in peptide-binding GPCRs. So I keep discovering new receptors that do interesting things. That’s one of the reasons the GPCR field is so exciting. Closing Reflections Yamina Berchiche: Last question—the toughest one. What should we title this episode? Dr. Nivedha: Maybe something about how working on GPCRs was a happy accident in my career. I didn’t originally plan to work on them, but they ended up shaping my scientific path. Yamina Berchiche: I love that idea. Episode Outro Yamina Berchiche: Thank you to Dr. Nivedha for this fantastic conversation. This discussion explored computation as a tool to decode receptor signaling—from simulations to drug discovery. It reminds us that dynamics often hold the real mechanism. If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a colleague. Subscribe to the Dr. GPCR podcast so you never miss a discussion. And remember: receptors don’t work alone—neither should you. Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. 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<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Gáspár Pándy-Szekeres About Gáspár Pándy-Szekeres " After a BSc in biology and a MSc in bioinformatics, I have been working in David Gloriam's group as a bioinformatician. My initial focus was on creating an automated chimeric homology modeling pipeline for GPCRs and since have branched out to multiple areas of GPCR research such as sequence alignments, generic numbering systems, structure data, G protein and arrestin coupling and more. As a developer, and more recently the lead developer of GPCRdb my day-to-day work centers around the maintenance and resource/tool development of GPCRdb and its sister databases. I am also affiliated with György Keserű's group at the RCNS in Hungary. I lived in Denmark, Poland, now I live in Hungary. I am married, I have two daughters. In my free time I like to play the guitar, sing and play board games. " Gáspár Pándy-Szekeres on the web LinkedIn University of Copenhagen ResearchGate Twitter Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) The Role of Quantitative Sciences in GPCRs with Dr. Nagarajan Vaidehi About Dr. Nagarajan Vaidehi "Nagarajan Vaidehi, Ph.D., is professor and chair of the Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine (DCQM) at the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope in Los Angeles, CA. She is also the Associate Director of the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Vaidehi received her Ph.D. in quantum chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology in India, where she was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016. Following her postdoctoral studies on protein dynamics simulation methods at University of Southern California, and at Caltech, she became the director of biomolecular simulations at the Materials and Process Simulation Center, Beckman Institute at Caltech. Dr. Vaidehi joined the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope in 2006 as a Professor and became chair of DCQM in 2018. She has advanced the use of computational methods to meet the challenges of designing therapeutics with lower off target effects. She is an internationally recognized biophysicist for her contributions in developing constrained molecular dynamics simulation methods with emphasis on application to G-protein coupled receptors and drug design." Dr. Nagarajan Vaidehi on the web City of Hope Google Scholar LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Thomas P. Sakmar About Dr. Thomas P. Sakmar Tom Sakmar is a physician-scientist and professor at Rockefeller University in New York. While a chemistry undergraduate student at the University of Chicago, he attended a NATO Advanced Study Institute in Les Houches, France in 1979 where he was exposed for the first time to the nascent field of membrane biophysics and intercellular communication. Instructors at the course included Marc Chabre , Harden McConnell , Richard Henderson , Martin Rodbell , Jean-Pierre Changeux , and Martin Karplus . After medical school and clinical training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Tom joined the laboratory of H. Gobind Khorana at the Department of Chemistry at M.I.T. for postdoctoral training, where he learned gene synthesis, cDNA cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and heterologous expression in mammalian cells. Khorana’s lab made early key contributions and developed strategies to express, reconstitute and assay engineered GPCRs using the visual pigment rhodopsin as a model system. Tom initially focused on structure-activity relationships underlying spectral tuning and identified a glutamic acid residue in rhodopsin that serves as the retinylidene Schiff base counterion. He also went on to discover a “counterion switch” in visual pigments and to develop strategies to assay receptor-G-protein interactions and activation kinetics. After moving to Rockefeller University with a Howard Hughes Medical Institute appointment, Tom advanced a series of novel biochemical and biophysical assay platforms, including FTIR and Raman microprobe spectroscopy to study micro-quantities of expressed visual pigment mutants. This work involved active long-term collaborators, including Richard Mathies and Fritz Siebert , and contributed substantially to elucidating the physical chemistry of spectral tuning, and to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of activation of GPCRs. Many of the conceptual advances that stemmed from this work, such as the concept of “functional micro-domains” and the “helix movement model of receptor activation” were confirmed later when crystal structures became available. Tom’s lab also pioneered the early use of computational homology modeling, molecular dynamics simulations and coarse-grain sampling approaches for membrane proteins in collaborations with Thomas Huber , Xavier Periole , and Siewert-Jan Marrink . Tom’s lab also developed an amber codon suppression method to genetically encode unnatural amino acids into membrane proteins expressed in mammalian cell culture. The genetic code expansion strategy for unnatural amino acid mutagenesis is a key enabling technology for the field and is being used by many laboratories. Early applications included “targeted photo-crosslinking,” and more recently, the parallel development of bioorthogonal labeling strategies to couple fluorophores to expressed receptors and other membrane proteins has allowed the creation of novel sensor constructs and single-molecule detection strategies. Recently, Tom’s lab discovered, along with Yu Chen and Ping Chi , that a mutant of CYSLTR2 is a driver oncogene in uveal melanoma, the most common eye cancer in adults. The CysLTR2 oncoprotein displays biased constitutive activity – it activates Gq/11 but does not undergo β-arrestin-mediated down-regulation. Dr. Thomas P. Sakmar on the web LinkedIn ResearchGate Pubmed ORCHID Google Scholar Rockefeller University Wikipedia Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Brendan Wilkins About Brendan Wilkins "Brendan completed his undergraduate training at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Australia in 2016 with first class Honours in Pharmacology. In his Honours year, Brendan explored small molecule allosteric modulators of the β2-adrenoceptor under the tutelage of Dr Angela Finch. Since then, Brendan worked as a research assistant at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute where he investigated the orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), GPR37L1. Brendan is now a final year PhD candidate in the Orphan Receptor Laboratory headed by Associate Professor Nicola J Smith at UNSW Sydney, Australia. Brendan’s PhD project focuses on the orphan GPCR GPR146. This project aims to characterise the molecular pharmacology of GPR146 and to validate the proposed ligands of GPR146 in line with IUPHAR-NC guidelines on deorphanisation of orphan GPCRs. Brendan is currently looking for post-doctoral positions to begin in mid-2024" Brendan Wilkins on the web UNSW Sydney Google Scholar ResearchGate LinkedIn Twitter Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

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<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Françoise Bachelerie About Dr. Françoise Bachelerie " FB leads a team at Paris-Saclay University with expertise in immunology and virology related to Host/Virus interactions and GPCR function. The team’s projects are devoted to the activation/function of CXCR4-ACKR3 (CXCR7) receptors of the CXCL12 chemokine, key effectors of the immune system, including their role in immunological disorders (e.g. WHIM syndrome) and in the innate control of the life cycle of papillomavirus, which are commensal inhabiting the healthy human epithelium (virome) while presenting an oncogenic potential that remains a major health concern. FB is recognized for her expertise and pioneering works in the field of biological and pathological functions of chemokines and their receptors, for which she made important breakthroughs regarding the CXCL12/CXCR4/ACKR3 trio. In particular, FB contributed to the discovery that CXCL12 is the ligand for the CXCR4 receptor and can therefore prevent infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FB’ team has identified the orphan CXCR7/ACKR3 receptor as being the 2nd receptor for CXCL12, which behaves as a modulator of CXCL12/CXCR4 functions. FB is a member of various international committees in the field, including the one that reviewed the standard nomenclature for chemokine receptors that are categorized into a large subgroup of G protein–coupled (GPCR) leukocyte chemotactic receptors (including CXCR4), and a smaller subgroup of atypical chemokine receptors (including the CXCR7/ACKR3). " Dr. Françoise Bachelerie on the web INSERM ResearchGate SciSpace Loop LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Stephen Ferguson The History of the Great Lakes GPCR Retreat with Dr. Stephen Ferguson About Dr. Stephen Ferguson Dr. Stephen Ferguson is a Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. He did B.Sc. in biology at McGill University and received his Ph.D. under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Collier in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University (1994). He did his postdoctoral training with Dr. Marc G. Caron at Duke University (1994-1997), where he and his colleagues investigated the role of G protein-coupled receptor kinases and beta-arrestin in regulating G protein-coupled receptor endocytosis, trafficking, and signaling. He has held four Canada Research Chairs since 2001 and was previously a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada MacDonald Scholar (1998-2003) and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Career Investigator (2003-2016). He was a recipient of Canada's Top 40 under 40 award in 2004 and received Queen Elizabeth II, Diamond Jubilee Medal, in 2012. He has also received both Junior (2001) and Senior (2005) investigator awards from the Pharmacological Society of Canada. Most recently, in 2021, he was elected as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Science (FCAHS). His research career has focused on the investigation of the regulation of G protein-coupled receptors signaling mechanisms in health and disease. He currently holds multiple research grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for his research investigating the role of metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling in Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Stephen Ferguson on the web Carlton University Canada Research Chairs Twitter ResearchGate LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Great Lakes GPCR Retreat on the web 21st Great Lakes GPCR Retreat More about previous GPCR Retreat meetings Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Stephane Angers About Dr. Stephane Angers Dr. Angers is an expert in the field of signal transduction. He obtained his Ph.D. from the Université de Montréal in 2002 under the guidance of Dr. Michel Bouvier . His thesis work led to the development and application of light energy transfer methodology to study protein-protein interaction and signal transduction. From 2002-2006 he was a Howard Hughes Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle under Dr. Randall T. Moon , where he identified and characterized novel components of the Wnt signaling pathway and a new class of E3 ubiquitin ligases . In October 2006, Dr. Angers established his independent research program in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto. He is the recipient of the Canada Research Chair in Functional Architecture of Signal Transduction. His research program is developed to understand the signaling mechanisms underlying the Wnt and Hedgehog families of growth factors and their signaling mechanisms in development, adult tissue homeostasis, and human diseases. His pioneer work led to the development of novel antibody molecules blocking and activating the Wnt pathway for the treatment of cancers and regenerative medicine applications. He is the scientific founder of two biotech companies, ModMab Therapeutics , and AntlerA Therapeutics , which are pursuing the clinical development of these molecules. In September 2021, Dr. Angers was named Director of the Donnelly Centre of Cellular and Biomolecular Research at the University of Toronto, an internationally recognized Research Institute bringing together multidisciplinary teams of scientists. Dr. Stephane Angers on the web Angers Lab The Donnelly Centre Twitter Dr. GPCR Ecosystem LinkedIn Upcoming Live Expert Sessions ➚ 🔒Explore the Full Masterclass ➚ Unlock the Full Dr. GPCR Learning Ecosystem ✔ Full Masterclass library ✔ Terry's Pharmacology Corner ✔ Advanced GPCR courses ✔ Scientific discussions → Become Premium Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>