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<< 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. 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Home → Flash News → We’re proud to welcome Celtarys as our media partner! Known for their fluorescent ligand innovation, Celtarys is helping researchers make biology visible, faster, smarter, and with more precision. Their chemistry speaks the language of biology, and now, they’re speaking to the global GPCR community through this powerful collaboration. 🔗 Explore Celtarys on the Dr. GPCR Ecosystem: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/celtarys-research-dr-gpcr-ecosystem #DrGPCR #GPCRtools #FluorescentLigands #BiotechInnovation Published on June 4, 2025 Category Celtarys - Media Partner We’re proud to welcome Celtarys as our media partner! Known for their fluorescent ligand innovation, Celtarys is helping researchers make biology visible, faster, smarter, and with more precision. Their chemistry speaks the language of biology, and now, they’re speaking to the global GPCR community through this powerful collaboration. 🔗 Explore Celtarys on the Dr. GPCR Ecosystem: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/celtarys-research-dr-gpcr-ecosystem #DrGPCR #GPCRtools #FluorescentLigands #BiotechInnovation Previous Next Recent Articles

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Benjamin Myers About Dr. Benjamin Myers Ben Myers is an assistant professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, UT, and an investigator with the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Ben’s research focuses on Smoothened and other class F GPCRs which play essential roles in embryonic development and in cancer. His group studies the unusual signaling mechanisms employed by these atypical 7-transmembrane receptors, combining biochemical and structural approaches with cell biology and in vivo models. These studies have revealed new and unexpected ways for membrane lipids to regulate GPCR activity and for GPCRs to control intracellular kinases. More recently, Ben’s lab has begun studying GPCR signaling pathways that operate within the primary cilium, a tiny antenna-shaped structure at the cell surface with critical links to development, physiology, and disease. Ben studied developmental and cancer signaling as a postdoctoral fellow with Philip Beachy at Stanford University. Prior to that, Ben received his Ph.D. from UCSF in 2008, where he worked with David Julius on the structure, function, and physiology of ion channels and GPCRs in the nervous system. Dr. Benjamin Myers on the web Website Twitter Pubmed University of Utah Dr. GPCR Ecosystem 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology 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. Hannes Schihada About Dr. Hannes Schihada Following studies in Pharmacy in Regensburg, Germany, I joined the receptor pharmacology group of Martin Lohse at the Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology in Würzburg, Germany, in 2015. My project involved the development of FRET/BRET -based GPCR conformational biosensors, which can be employed in high throughput ligand screening. After my Ph.D. defense in 2019, I moved with a DFG (German research council) PostDoc fellowship to Stockholm, Sweden, in order to focus my research on class Frizzled GPCR s in the lab of Gunnar Schulte at the Karolinska Institute. I spent 2 1/2 years in his lab and developed novel conformational sensors for these intriguing receptors, allowing us to better understand their mode of action. By the end of 2021, I moved back to Germany and joined the pharmaceutical chemistry group of Peter Kolb in Marburg. I was recently awarded a Marie Sklodowska Curie PostDoc Fellowship in order to investigate and find better ligands for the orphan class A GPCRs , GPR3 , GPR6 , and GPR12 . Dr. Hannes Schihada on the web Karolinska Institutet Twitter Adher´n Rise LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Ecosystem 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology 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) 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 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology 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) Chris Langmead Chris Langmead is Professor, Deputy Director, and Better Medicines Theme Leader of the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), a collaborative venture targeting new medicines development for poorly-treated mental health disorders. He also directs a collaborative neuroscience R&D program with Servier (France) and is the co-founder and CEO of Phrenix Therapeutics, a biotech spin-out from the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre that is developing next-generation therapeutics for schizophrenia. Prior to these roles this he was Head of Pharmacology at Heptares Therapeutics Ltd., a UK-based biotechnology company (2009-2012), where he was responsible all of the company’s discovery biology. He is an acknowledged expert in drug discovery, particularly in the field of psychiatry, where he has led multiple projects into late stage preclinical development, many of which have progressed into clinical trials. These successes enabled the US$400M sale of Heptares Therapeutics Ltd. to the Sosei Group Corporation in 2015. Prior to joining Heptares, Chris was a neuroscience researcher at GlaxoSmithKline, UK (1998-2009). He has a degree and PhD in pharmacology from Queens' College, Cambridge and University College London, respectively, was the youngest person to be elected as a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society in 2012, and was the recipient of the British Pharmacological Society Novartis Prize in 2017. Chris serves on the editorial boards of the British Journal of Pharmacology, ACS Chemical Neuroscience, ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science and Frontiers in Pharmacology. He is also a corresponding member of NC-IUPHAR. He has published over 70 research articles, reviews and book chapters on drug discovery, which have been cited over 5000 times. Christopher Langmead on the web Monash University T witter Google Scholar Linkedin PubMed Monash Neuromedicines Dr. GPCR Ecosystem 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Retreat 2023 About Program Registration Logo Contest Committee Sponsors GPCR Retreat Program < Back to schedule Coffee Break 4 Date & Time Friday, November 3rd / 3:00 PM Previous Event Next Event Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec 22nd GPCR Retreat Sponsored by

Home → Flash News → terrys corner predict drug behavior Published on July 12, 2025 Category Terry's Corner Linear, linkage, or probability? Dive into the logic of drug modeling with Terry Kenakin. In his latest lesson, he breaks down the essential models shaping modern pharmacology. Learn to “extend your eyes” and predict complex drug behaviors. 🟢 Browse the full catalog (and expect a new course every week!) ✳️ https://www.terrykenakin.com #pharmacology #drugmechanism #kenakin #GPCR #DrGPCR Previous Next Recent Articles

Retreat 2023 About Program Registration Logo Contest Committee Sponsors GPCR Retreat Program < Back to schedule Trainee Symposium I Date & Time Thursday, November 2nd / 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM Title: Virion Display to Discover a Novel Ligand of the Orphan GPCR GPRC5B and its Role in Obesity About Eric Johansen "I will be a 6th year Ph.D student in the chemical biology interface program at Johns Hopkins University. My project is investigating a new protein ligand for a GPCR and its potential role in obesity. My interests in research are primarily directed towards methods that study GPCRs and GPCR signaling, as well as drug discovery and design." Eric Johansen on the web Johns Hopkins University Dr. GPCR Title: Modeling Cardiac Fibrosis in a Dish: Combining hIPSC-Derived Fibroblasts and FRET Biosensors to Unravel GPCR-Mediated Cardiac Fibrosis Activation in Dilated Cardiomyopathy About Grace Mazarura "I am a graduate student in the Hébert Lab. In my current research project I use iPSC-derived cardiac fibroblasts to examine cellular signaling in the fibrotic response, a key driver of dilated cardiomyopathy." Grace Mazarura on the web McGill University Dr. GPCR Title: Characterization of Novel Opioid-Neurotensin Bifunctional Ligands Designed to Target Pain Management About Émile Breault "Emile Breault is undertaking his master's degree in pharmacology at the university of Sherbrooke under the supervision of Prof. Sarret. He recently received his BSc in pharmacology from the University of Sherbrooke in 2023. During his graduate studies, Emile is interested in characterizing novel G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) ligands for the treatment of chronic pain but also in deciphering cellular signaling pathways associated with the physiological effects observed in vivo of such GPCRs." Émile Breault on the web Google Scholar ResearchGate Dr. GPCR Title: Synapse-Associated Protein 102 and Post-Synaptic Density 95 Differentially Shape Dopamine D1 Receptor Signaling About Bassam Albraidy "My thesis focus on studying the interaction of dopamine D1 receptors scaffolding proteins synapse-associated protein 102 and post-synaptic density 95, and the impact of these complexes in D1R-mediated signaling and trafficking mechanisms." Bassam Albraidy on the web X (Twitter) LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Previous Event Next Event Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec 22nd GPCR Retreat Sponsored by

Retreat 2023 About Program Registration Logo Contest Committee Sponsors GPCR Retreat Program < Back to schedule Board Meeting Date & Time Friday, November 3rd / 9:30 PM Previous Event Next Event Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec 22nd GPCR Retreat Sponsored by

Home → Flash News → Exploring the combination of molecular simulation, pharmacological assays, and NMR to reveal the molecular mechanism of biased activation at the vasopressin V2 receptor. Did you know that we work hard to bring you the most recent GPCR News, weekly? Catch up today in the Ecosystem using your free site membership! Published on December 10, 2024 Category GPCR Weekly News Exploring the combination of molecular simulation, pharmacological assays, and NMR to reveal the molecular mechanism of biased activation at the vasopressin V2 receptor. Did you know that we work hard to bring you the most recent GPCR News, weekly? Catch up today in the Ecosystem using your free site membership! ➡️ https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/receptor-activation-and-signaling/high-affinity-elr%2B-chemokine-ligands-show-g-protein-bias-over-%CE%B2-arrestin-recruitment-and-receptor-internalization-in-cxcr1-signalling #gpcr #drgpcr Previous Next Recent Articles

Home → Flash News → What are your thoughts on β2AR? Listen to Ep.163 of the @DrGPCR Podcast, where @DVeprintsev shares his thoughts and experiences about working with GPCRs, tips on framing your research correctly, and other insightful topics. Don’t miss out! ✳️https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/dr-gpcr-podcast/ep-163-with-dr.-dmitry- #GPCRs #SciencePodcast #DrugDiscovery #Biotech #DrGPCR Published on April 3, 2025 Category Dr. GPCR Podcast What are your thoughts on β2AR? Listen to Ep.163 of the @DrGPCR Podcast, where @DVeprintsev shares his thoughts and experiences about working with GPCRs, tips on framing your research correctly, and other insightful topics. Don’t miss out! ✳️ https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/dr-gpcr-podcast/ep-163-with-dr.-dmitry- #GPCRs #SciencePodcast #DrugDiscovery #Biotech #DrGPCR Previous Next Recent Articles

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Ralf Jockers About Dr. Ralf Jockers Ralf Jockers studied in Cologne and received a Ph.D. in biotechnology and biochemistry from the University of Braunschweig, Germany. For postdoctoral training, he joined the laboratory of Dr. Strosberg AD in France, where he worked on the regulation of ß-adrenergic receptors. He is the Research director at INSERM with a specific interest in G protein-coupled receptors by developing original BRET and TR-FRET assays. His laboratory is currently located at the Institute Cochin – Inserm (Paris, France). His laboratory was among the first to demonstrate the oligomerization of GPCRs. He showed the formation of melatonin receptor heteromers in vitro and in vivo and their importance in retinal physiology. He established the concept of ligand-independent functions of orphan receptors in heterodimers with other GPCRs. He discovered multiple rare and loss-of-function variants of the MT2 melatonin receptors that are associated with type 2 diabetes (TD2) development. Many MT2 variants are biased and their defects are signaling pathway-specific opening new perspectives for T2D treatment and precision medicine. His lab was among the first to discover mitochondrial functions of GPCRs. He was the director of the French network of GPCRs (GDR-3545), currently directs the International Research Network (IRN) i-GPCRnet of the CNRS, is chair of IUPHAR « Melatonin receptor » sub-committee, Editor-in-Chief of « Frontiers in Cellular Endocrinology » and AE of « J Pineal Research”. He is a highly cited researcher – 2019 and 2020 identified by Clarivate Web of Science ™. Dr. Ralf Jockers on the web Jockers Lab WGDR-3545 Pubmed Dr. GPCR Ecosystem 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Retreat 2023 About Program Registration Logo Contest Committee Sponsors GPCR Retreat Program < Back to schedule Check In Date & Time Thursday, November 2nd / 4:00 PM Previous Event Next Event Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec 22nd GPCR Retreat Sponsored by

<< 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 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Home → Flash News → ep 169 with sokhom pin some 2 Published on July 10, 2025 Category Dr. GPCR Podcast Build the team you always wished you had. At Alkermes, Sokhom S. Pin didn’t just lead a lab. He built a culture. His team became known as “the happiest group in the company.” Why? Empowerment, trust, and zero tolerance for toxicity. It wasn’t luck. It was leadership. ✳️ Watch Ep. 169: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/dr-gpcr-podcast/ep-169-with-dr-sokhom-pin #biotechleadership #GPCRresearchcommunity #DrGPCR #teamculture Previous Next Recent Articles

Dr. Alex Serafini shares why pain research must start with real-world behavior and models before drilling into GPCR targets — a top-down rethink for drug discovery. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) GPCRs and the Science Behind Pain and Recovery with Dr. Alex Serafini 1. Strategy: From Personal Pain to Scientific Purpose Dr. Alex Serafini’s entry into science wasn’t typical. Born in California, raised in Silicon Valley, and initially eyeing finance, his trajectory took a sharp turn after struggling with unresolved, chronic pain following repeated surgeries for a pilonidal cyst. "I wasn't able to get stronger pain meds because of the opioid epidemic," he recalls. That gap in care sparked a curiosity that became a career. Driven by personal experience and a desire to innovate in pain management, Alex pursued a master's in pain research at Hopkins and later an MD-PhD at Mount Sinai. His early exposure to TRPV1 channels and peripheral pain mechanisms with Dr. Mike Caterina laid the foundation. But the deeper mission? Finding answers for patients society often overlooks. Pain became more than biology — it became a personal strategy. “I started going through what I was going through… and that got me very interested in research.” — Alex Serafini 2. Decision-Making: Saying Yes to the Unorthodox Path Serafini’s journey defied traditional checklists. He joined Mount Sinai through FlexMed — bypassing the MCAT — and was torn between a career in pharma and academia. At one point, he had a job offer at Roivant (a biotech firm known for repurposing shelved compounds), but a late-stage offer into an MD-PhD program — and parental “encouragement” — rerouted his path. His approach to decision-making is pragmatic: follow impact, not orthodoxy. The decision to stay on as a postdoc in the same lab as his PhD — with Dr. Venetia Zachariou — wasn't the typical next step, but it allowed him to wrap up high-impact work and learn about PI-level grant writing, strategy, and lab management. In his words: “She let me run projects like a junior PI.” “I didn’t need to chase new techniques — I needed to finish the science that mattered.” — Alex Serafini 3. Blind Spots: The Underestimated Role of RGS Proteins in Pain Although not a self-proclaimed GPCR specialist, Serafini found himself repeatedly drawn to them, or more precisely, to RGS (Regulators of G protein Signaling) proteins. The lab’s work with RGS4 led to unexpected results: knockout mice spontaneously recovered from chronic pain after three weeks, an effect rarely observed. He points out that GPCRs—especially orphan and CNS-associated ones—are often downplayed in pain research, with most focus on ionotropic targets like NAV1.8. But Serafini believes that’s a blind spot. “We’re using outdated drugs. There are more elegant GPCR targets waiting to be explored.” The lab’s unconventional in vivo-first strategies, combined with RNA-seq and behavioral analysis, revealed nuanced roles of RGS4, RGS9, and RGSZ — not just as modulators but as potential therapeutic linchpins. “Half the time, in pain, what works in vivo doesn’t translate to clinic. We need new thinking.” — Alex Serafini 4. Failure & Frustration: From Pipettes to Pandemic Disruption The road hasn’t been smooth. From struggling to grip mice in early animal studies to thesis delays during COVID-19, Serafini's journey is marked by grit. But it’s in these friction points that new insights emerged. The pandemic disruption, for instance, led him to BSL-3 labs to study persistent pain after SARS-CoV-2 infection, revealing novel immune-neuron signaling in DRGs. He also opens up about the emotional and logistical toll of MD-PhD training. It’s an eight-year-plus haul with built-in uncertainty. However, with mentors who believed in him, especially those who shared administrative, grant-writing, and leadership skills early on, he found direction and resilience. “She [Vanna] gave me a crash course in what it’s like to be a junior PI. That changed everything.” — Alex Serafini 5. Pivoting: Redefining the Pain Research Playbook Looking ahead, Serafini’s vision is bold: build a lab that develops translational models of pain rooted in patient realities. He’s fascinated by transgenerational epigenetics — how parental pain, diet, or drug exposure can leave molecular fingerprints in offspring. He's equally focused on sex differences in pain processing and the failure of "one-size-fits-all" models in pharmacology. His advice? Learn broadly. Stay close to patients. Collaborate relentlessly. And above all, don’t be afraid to start from the phenotype and work backwards to the mechanism. That top-down approach, though less common, could help pain research finally catch up with the complexity of real-world biology. “Start from the end — from the clinic — and then build backwards.” — Alex Serafini _________ Key Takeaway Innovation in pain research won’t come from doing the same things better — it’ll come from flipping the script. Whether it’s challenging legacy targets, redefining preclinical models, or exploring the epigenetic inheritance of pain, Dr. Serafini urges the field to stay bold, patient-centered, and GPCR-aware. Keyword Cloud GPCR research community, Dr. GPCR ecosystem, GPCR drug discovery, GPCR podcast, GPCR data platform, GPCR training program, RGS4, chronic pain, epigenetics, translational models. Summary created by AI ________ About Alex Serafini Alex was born and raised in the Bay Area and received his BS/MS Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins. His master's degree was in Dr. Michael Caterina's lab studying the role of PNS chloride transporters in neuropathic pain. Upon matriculating to Mount Sinai's MD/PhD program, he joined Dr. Venetia Zachariou's lab to study the effects of chronic pain and addiction/withdrawal on the mesocorticolimbic system, focusing on transcription factor and RGS protein maladaptations, behavioral RGS protein drug "screening", and the role of SARS-CoV-2 on CNS function and sensory hypersensitivity. He aspires to become a physician-scientist, with a focus on translational in vitro and in vivo model development for studying chronic pain and affective comorbidities. Other academic interests of his include studying pharmaceutical finance & healthcare administration and developing technologies that increase healthcare access. His non-academic interests include traveling, scouting out micro-breweries, and collecting beer cans. Alex Serafini on the web LinkedIn 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Home → Flash News → How do GPCRs sense pH changes? New cryo-EM structures of GPR4 and GPR68 reveal how extracellular histidines act as proton sensors-trigger activation and biased G protein coupling! Did you know that we work hard to bring you the most recent GPCR News, weekly? Catch up today in the Ecosystem using your free site membership! ➡️https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/structural-and-molecular-insights-into-gpcr-function/structural-basis-and-biased-signaling-of-proton-sensation-by-gpcrs-mediated-by-extracellular-histidine-rearrangement #gpcr#drgpcr Published on May 26, 2025 Category GPCR Weekly News How do GPCRs sense pH changes? New cryo-EM structures of GPR4 and GPR68 reveal how extracellular histidines act as proton sensors-trigger activation and biased G protein coupling! Did you know that we work hard to bring you the most recent GPCR News, weekly? Catch up today in the Ecosystem using your free site membership! ➡️ https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/structural-and-molecular-insights-into-gpcr-function/structural-basis-and-biased-signaling-of-proton-sensation-by-gpcrs-mediated-by-extracellular-histidine-rearrangement #gpcr#drgpcr Previous Next Recent Articles

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Inês Pinheiro, Monserrat Avila Zozaya & Yamina Berchiche About Inês Pinheiro PharmD by training and Ph.D. candidate in Hartley's lab at the University of Geneva. As a young researcher fascinated by chemokine receptors, molecular pharmacology, drug discovery, and immuno-oncology. Inês Pinheiro on the web LinkedIn University of Geneva Twitter Dr. GPCR Ecosystem About Monserrat Avila Zozaya I am a cell biologist interested in studying GPCRs, especially adhesion GPCRs. Motivated by my scientific passion, I recently started a postdoctoral fellowship to study the role of GPCRs in the mechanisms of pain and its comorbidities. Monserrat Avila Zozaya on the web Antony Boucard Lab Dr. GPCR Ecosystem About Yamina Berchiche Dr. Yamina A. Berchiche is the founder of Dr. GPCR, an ecosystem designed to bring together stakeholders interested in using G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), that control virtually everything in the body, as drug targets. The mission of Dr. GPCR is to accelerate GPCR drug discovery by sharing the latest research and technology advances in the field and providing exposure to scientists through the Dr. GPCR podcast. Dr. Berchiche obtained her Master’s and Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Montreal in Canada before training at The Rockefeller University in New York and the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. She developed expertise over the past two decades studying structure/function relationships of GPCRs using live-cell bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). Her work focused on chemokine receptors, members of the GPCR family that control cell movement in the body. Yamina Berchiche on the web Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter ResearchGate PubMed Google Scholar Dr. GPCR Ecosystem 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Home → Flash News → Do you know that dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body, results from the deficiency of Latrophilin-2? Check out this paper to understand the function of Latrophilin-2 and how it leads to dilated cardiomyopathy. Subscribe to the Dr. GPCR Newsletter 📰 and get the latest GPCR News delivered to your inbox. Published on October 31, 2024 Category GPCR Weekly News Do you know that dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body, results from the deficiency of Latrophilin-2? Check out this paper to understand the function of Latrophilin-2 and how it leads to dilated cardiomyopathy. Subscribe to the Dr. GPCR Newsletter 📰 and get the latest GPCR News delivered to your inbox. ➡️ https:// www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/gpcrs-in-cardiology-endocrinology-and-taste/latrophilin-2-deletion-in-cardiomyocyte-disrupts-cell-junction%2C-leading-to-d-cmp Previous Next Recent Articles

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Stuart Maudsley About Dr. Stuart Maudsley Stuart graduated from the University of Leeds in the U.K. with a First Class Honors degree in Pharmacology. At the end of his studies, he was awarded the Pfizer Prize for undergraduate research. He then completed his Ph.D. at Leeds as well as the University’s Ackroyd, Brotherton, and Brown Scholar. Following his Ph.D., Dr. Maudsley was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship to train with Professor Robert Lefkowitz at Duke University. Following this tremendous experience, he was recruited to be the Principal Investigator of the Receptor Biology Section at the Medical Research Council (MRC) -Human Reproductive Sciences Unit within the University of Edinburgh. At the MRC he developed novel prostate cancer therapeutics based upon his research into GPCR pluridimensional signaling. To broaden his biomedical skill-set Stuart next accepted the position of Head of the Receptor Pharmacology Unit at the National Institutes of Health – National Institute on Aging at the Johns Hopkins University Medical Center. At the NIH he was the recipient of the coveted NIH ‘Bench-to-Bedside’ Translational Research Grant Award, one of the few awards available within the intramural NIH program. Upon starting a new family, and returning to Europe, Dr. Maudsley continued his scientific journey with the award of the highly-valued Odysseus Program Type I Program Grant to work as both the Adjunct Director of the VIB Center for Molecular Neurology and also Vice-Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Antwerp. Stuart’s current research, in the Receptor Biology Lab, focuses on the development of novel GPCR-based therapeutics that interdict diseases based on their gerontological underpinnings. This research stream is now forming the basis of a new technology-based start-up company, HeptOME , to help screen and develop novel longevity/disease-regulating compounds with multidimensional disease efficacy profiles. Dr. Stuart Maudsley on the web Maudsley Lab LinkedIn Google Scholar ResearchGate Maudsley Lab on Facebook Receptor Biology Lab Facebook Group Twitter Semantic Scholar Instagram Neurotree Dimensions Reddit Dr. GPCR Ecosystem 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Discover how Celtarys Research is transforming GPCR assay development with fluorescent ligands in this episode featuring CSO Dr. Maria Majellaro—and learn what their new partnership with Dr. GPCR means for the global research community. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Custom Molecules, Fluorescent Probes: When Chemists Think Like Biologists with Dr. Maria Majellaro from Celtarys A Partnership Rooted in Scientific Innovation In this episode, Dr. Maria Majellaro, CSO of Celtarys Research, shares the story behind the company’s journey from academic curiosity to biotech force. But this conversation also marks something new: a strategic partnership between Dr. GPCR and Celtarys, built on a shared commitment to empowering the GPCR research community. At Celtarys, the focus is on enabling fast, customizable development of fluorescent ligands and chemical probes for GPCR assays. What started as a PhD project has grown into a commercial technology that helps scientists interrogate receptor pharmacology with greater speed and flexibility. “We started with GPCRs, but now we’re expanding to many new targets. Every time, it’s a new world—and we’re still learning.” — Maria Majellaro Through this partnership, Celtarys becomes an integral part of the Dr. GPCR ecosystem, contributing both expertise and tools that align directly with the needs of scientists at the bench and in translational drug discovery. Decision-Making: From Researcher to Scientific Leader Maria’s story is one of trusting her instincts while embracing change. She began as a medicinal chemist in Italy, but a postdoc opportunity in Santiago de Compostela—and a mentor’s timely suggestion—changed her trajectory. When the time came to decide whether to leave the lab and lead Celtarys into biotech, she took the leap. “It was my shift from the lab to leadership. I wasn’t sure at first, but I realized I could do this too.” — Maria Majellaro Her decisions, often made intuitively rather than analytically, have led to key inflection points—including Celtarys’ formal launch in 2021, just as the world was emerging from the pandemic. Now, she leads a team of six scientists and continues to build momentum through collaborations like the one with Dr. GPCR. Translating Science into Business Like many scientists-turned-entrepreneurs, Maria faced the challenge of learning the business side of biotech on the fly. Celtarys had the technology—but not the roadmap for commercialization. That changed with support from Galicia’s robust biotech network, and the company quickly defined its value: building better tools for drug discovery assays. “As scientists, we know how to make molecules. But we had to learn everything else—IP, market positioning, customer discovery.” — Maria Majellaro This year, as part of its partnership with Dr. GPCR, Celtarys will bring those lessons to the broader community, providing insight into assay development, probe design, and the realities of scaling innovation from lab bench to product launch. The Complexity Behind Every “Successful” Probe Maria is candid about the technical challenges behind fluorescent ligand development. “It’s not just attaching a fluorophore,” she says. Each probe must retain activity, remain soluble, and be compatible with a given assay format. There were moments of doubt and repeated optimization. The payoff? Enabling companies and academic labs to avoid the costly dead ends often associated with probe development. “You can have a great ligand—but if you can’t solubilize it, it’s useless.” — Maria Majellaro Celtarys’ unique chemical platform shortens development timelines and allows tailored modifications—critical for labs starting new GPCR-related projects. Their work directly supports the tool-building mission that aligns with the Dr. GPCR ecosystem. Pivoting: From Chemistry Company to Discovery Partner Initially focused on tool production, Celtarys has evolved into something more: a scientific collaborator. Their approach is highly consultative—they don’t just sell ligands, they co-develop solutions. The company works with clients from pharma, CROs, and academia, including MD Anderson and several leading GPCR labs. “We always start with the problem, then generate the right compound using our chemistry. It’s about enabling biology.” — Maria Majellaro Through its partnership with Dr. GPCR, Celtarys will expand its visibility and impact—offering its expertise, tools, and real-world insight to researchers tackling today’s most pressing GPCR-related questions. Summary made with AI ________ Key Takeaway This episode is more than a conversation—it’s the official kickoff of a one-year partnership between Dr. GPCR and Celtarys. Together, we’re combining chemistry, biology, and business insight to empower the GPCR research community like never before. Whether you're designing assays, developing probes, or seeking better tools for GPCR drug discovery, Celtarys and Dr. GPCR are now working hand-in-hand to help you do it faster, better, and more reproducibly. Keyword Cloud GPCR research community , Dr. GPCR ecosystem , GPCR drug discovery , fluorescent ligands , GPCR scientist network , custom ligand development , GPCR assay development , G protein-coupled receptors , GPCR podcast , Celtarys partnership Summary created by AI ________ About Maria Majellaro Dr. Maria Majellaro obtained her PhD with the distinction of Doctor Europeus from the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Bari (Italy) in 2018. During her doctoral studies, she spent one year as a predoctoral visiting student at the CIQUS Research Center—Campus of International Excellence—in Santiago de Compostela (Spain). In 2018, she returned to CIQUS to work as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the group of Prof. Eddy Sotelo, where together with Dr. Jhonny Azuaje they laid the groundwork for the future creation of Celtarys Research. Since the founding of Celtarys in 2021, she has served as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer, leading all scientific activities—from the development of Celtarys’ proprietary products to the ideation and execution of custom research projects. She also oversees the company’s scientific collaborations across Europe and beyond, being responsible for securing and managing national and international research grants. To date, she has successfully led seven funded projects. Her scientific expertise is rooted in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, with a particular focus on GPCR modulators. She has played a central role in the development and validation of Celtarys’ proprietary synthetic technology and is both a co-author of the related patent and a co-founder of the company. Maria Majellaro on the web LinkedIn ResearchGate 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology 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. Silvia Sposini About Dr. Silvia Sposini " I'm originally from Rome, Italy, where I studied Biological Sciences as a BSc student. I moved to London as a short experience (3 months) during my MSc but I ended up staying for a full year and and a PhD! During my time in London I investigated regulatory mechanisms of GPCR action, namely dimerization and membrane trafficking, in Dr Aylin Hanyaloglu 's lab at Imperial College London. In 2018 I got married and moved to France, to join the Interdisciplinary Institute for Neurosciences in Bordeaux. Still working on GPCR trafficking but this time in neurons. In 2021 I became mum of a gorgeous baby girl, Elena. I am currently funded by a postdoctoral fellowship from Wellcome Trust, working on a collaborative project (Dr Hanyaloglu's lab at ICL + Dr Perrais' lab at IINS) focused on understanding the interplay between GPCR signalling and trafficking in neurons using microscopy and proteomics based techniques. " Dr. Silvia Sposini on the web Bordeaux Neurocampus LinkedIn ResearchGate X (Twitter) Dr. GPCR 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology 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. Nicola J. Smith About Dr. Nicola J. Smith Dr. Nicola J Smith is an expert in molecular pharmacology with a track record in exploring GPCR structure-function relationships in the context of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. She is a National Heart Foundation of Australia Future Leader Fellow and runs a laboratory of 7 Ph.D. and Honours students at UNSW Sydney, where she has recently been promoted to Associate Professor. Most recently, Dr. Smith’s team has made advances in the understanding of how an orphan GPCR exerts its effects both in vitro (cell culture and ex vivo models) and in vivo (measures of physiological and pathological cardiometabolic function in unconscious and conscious mice). Together with Irina Kufareva , UCSD, her team developed a novel approach to identifying ligands for orphan GPCRs by developing a powerful new computational tool for identifying ‘surrogate’ ligands (borrowed from other receptors) for orphan GPCRs, named GPCR-CoINPocket. Her career goal is to leverage this expertise to establish a research program that takes orphan GPCRs from ‘locked’, inaccessible receptors to well-characterized and understood ‘unlocked’ therapeutic targets with high-affinity ligands. Dr. Nicola J. Smith on the web UNSW Sydney LinkedIn Retraction Watch Twitter Dr. GPCR Ecosystem 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology 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) Self-Learning, Collaboration, and Delegation in Science with Dr. Badr Sokrat About Dr. Badr Sokrat " After completing my undergraduate studies with an internship in the laboratory of Dr. Christian Baron studying bacterial secretion systems, I joined the molecular pharmacology laboratory of Dr. Michel Bouvier at the University of Montreal. There, I completed a PhD in biochemistry exploring the non-canonical functions and possible novel mechanisms of regulation of β-arrestin following GPCR activation. Among other projects, I studied the role of β-arrestin in G protein trafficking, the impact of GPCR ubiquitination on signaling and β-arrestin functions, and the characterization of novel β-arrestin interactors. At the end of 2023, I joined the research group of Dr. Nigel Bunnett at the NYU Pain Research Center as a postdoctoral researcher. My current research focuses on investigating GPCR signaling and trafficking in the context of inflammation and chronic pain. I am particularly interested in spatial signaling bias or how GPCRs can redistribute to different subcellular compartments to trigger distinct signaling events. " Dr. Badr Sokrat on the web PubMed ResearchGate LinkedIn Dr. GPCR AI Summary AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy. Quick Recap Yamina and Badr discussed their backgrounds in science, their experiences in education, and the challenges of competition and mental health in their home province of Quebec. They also discussed Badr's career trajectory, the importance of self-learning, collaboration, and delegation in scientific research, and the need for a well-organized lab manager in their global scientific team. Lastly, they highlighted the challenges scientists face in academia and industry, the importance of projection and careful communication, and the potential for future collaboration. Next Steps Badr will continue focusing his research on GPCRs involved in pain and inflammation during his postdoc at NYU. Yamina and Badr will create a virtual genealogical tree mapping the connections between researchers in the GPCR field. Yamina will continue to develop and manage the Dr. GPCR University podcast, focusing on collaboration and learning opportunities for the GPCR community. Yamina will balance her scientific work with personal interests and activities to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Summary Podcast Recording and Science Backgrounds Yamina and Badr discussed recording their podcast with Samary Eye, who made a humorous error in transcribing "Edmond" as "agendie". They then shared their backgrounds and interests in science, with Badr recounting his journey from struggling with math in an engineering physics degree to excelling in biology and obtaining a Master’s degree in biochemistry. Badr worked in various science labs, including Dr. Christian Badr’s and Dr. Philip Woozab’s, focusing on bacterial secretion systems, GPCRs, and bioinformatics. Yamina, who also attended the University of Montreal, confirmed her interest in science and mentioned their shared passion for the subject. Education, Competition, and Mental Health Discussion Badr and Yamina shared their experiences about their education, with Yamina sharing her struggles during her first trimester in college and her eventual success due to the support of a theater group and a good teacher. They both discussed the intense competition in their home province, Quebec, and its impact on students' mental health and university admission prospects. They also talked about the negative aspects of this competition, such as students putting others down, and how it can be toxic. Lastly, Badr shared his transition into the field of GPCRs.. Badr recounted Badr's Journey, Multiplexing Assays, and Collaboration Badr shared his learning process and early tasks at Michelle’s lab, which involved creating stable cell lines and identifying potential protein interactions. He described a significant moment when he confirmed a previously uncertain interaction, underscoring the importance of confidence and motivation in scientific discoveries. Yamina emphasized the potential of multiplexing assays in expanding the scope of scientific exploration and finding new protein interactions. They also discussed the concept of serendipity in scientific research, illustrating with examples of Kathleen Curran and her father. Lastly, they concurred on the collaborative nature of the scientific community, where scientists build upon each other's work. Badr's Postdoc Plans and GPCR Research Yamina and Badr discussed Badr’s career trajectory and his decision to pursue a postdoc abroad after his PhD. Badr shared his passion for GPCR signalling and regulation, specifically in the context of pain and inflammation, and how his PhD research on non-canonical GPCR roles laid the foundation for his postdoc work. He also explained his strategy for finding a suitable postdoc lab, which involved reaching out to labs whose recent research aligned with his interests. Lastly, Badr emphasized the importance of choosing a city one would like to live in for several years when deciding on a postdoc position. Badr’s Journey to Overcoming Confidence Fluctuations Badr shared his journey of overcoming fluctuating confidence levels during his PhD journey, emphasizing the importance of viewing failures as valuable learning opportunities. He highlighted that he had to regain his confidence after a period of three failed experiments. Yamina expressed interest in understanding how Badr’s experiences influenced his current role, and Badr stressed the need for individuals to develop challenges outside of their work environment to foster greater confidence. Additionally, they both agreed on the importance of mentorship in building confidence, with Yamina sharing her positive experience of being advised by her supervisor, Nikolaos. Self-Learning, Collaboration, and Delegation in Science Badr and Yamina discussed the importance of self-learning and scientific confidence in managing projects and conducting experiments. They highlighted the significance of collaboration and delegation in scientific research, noting that knowing when to ask for help and when to delegate tasks can lead to more efficient and successful results. Yamina shared her experiences of starting a project independently and then delegating tasks, while Badr shared his plans for his current project, which involved learning certain techniques himself and delegating others to colleagues. They both agreed on the value of these strategies. Yamina’s Podcast Journey and Career Advice Yamina discussed how her podcast on chemokine ligands led to new collaborations and published work. She emphasized preparation and understanding guests’ backgrounds for engaging interviews. Yamina shared her experiences at Rockefeller, where she studied chemical receptors. She aims for Dr. GPCR to serve as a global hub for the GPCR community. Badr expressed interest in broadening his skills beyond the lab, such as project management and effective communication. Yamina advised him to consider career options after his postdoc and adapt to different systems. She highlighted the importance of learning behind-the-scenes skills and staying informed through resources like GPCR news. Improving Scientific Communication and Support Yamina and Badr discussed the need for a well-organized lab manager to facilitate communication within their global scientific team and ensure scientists could focus on their research. They identified the challenges scientists, particularly students and researchers, face, such as imposter syndrome, constant pressure from administrative tasks, and difficulties in maintaining a work-life balance. Yamina and Badr agreed on the importance of individuals struggling with imposter syndrome learning to set aside their fears and doubts to move forward. They also highlighted the benefits of maintaining a supportive network and engaging in non-lab activities for mental processing and relaxation. Academia and Industry Strategies Discussed Yamina and Badr discussed the challenges and strategies of a scientist in academia and industry. Yamina highlighted the need to project a certain presence and balance one’s actions against others in the field. She also mentioned the importance of careful communication, especially when working with a boss who has a different approach. Badr agreed to reach out for a future collaboration, and they discussed the possibility of meeting in Boston. Yamina committed to sending her contact details to Badr. 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Retreat 2023 About Program Registration Logo Contest Committee Sponsors GPCR Retreat Program < Back to schedule Lunch 1 Date & Time Friday, November 3rd / 12:10 PM Previous Event Next Event Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec Great Lakes GPCR Retreat and Club des Récepteurs à Sept Domaines Transmembranaires du Québec 22nd GPCR Retreat Sponsored by

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Pierre Eftekhari About Dr. Pierre Eftekhari "Clinical physiologist and biologist , with more than 25 years of experience in drug development. have been engaged in GPCR cellular and clinical pharmacology as scientist or PI in neonatal lupus, Cardiomyopathy, hypertension, chagas disease. I have participated and initiated methodologies for development of pharmacologically active anti-GPCR antibodies like agonist, antagonist, inverse agonist or blocker. During my Scholar period I have published or contributed in 38 published scientific work mainly in the field of immunology and pharmacology of GPCR. The majority of my research is concentrated on rhodopsin family with a few works on metabotropic receptor. Since the creation of Inoviem scientific in Nov. 2011 by myself we have been regularly working with GPCRs for our pharma and biotech clients. The latter mainly in target deconvolution and patient stratification." Dr. Pierre Eftekhari on the web Inoviem Scientific ResearchGate LinkedIn Twitter Dr. GPCR 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology 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. John Janetzko About Dr. John Janetzko "I received my Honors BSc in Chemistry from the University of Toronto in 2011, with a focus on synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry. Following this, I pursued graduate studies in Chemistry at Harvard University. At Harvard, I worked in the labs of Drs. Daniel Kahne and Suzanne Walker studying the structure and function of the essential human enzyme, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT). My Ph.D. work focused on understanding the mechanism of an enigmatic moonlighting function of OGT that had been described only a year earlier. Over the course of my graduate work, I gained experience with structural mass spectrometry and protein crystallography, which shaped my interest in understanding how protein dynamics are linked to function. To further develop these ideas, I joined the lab of Dr. Brian Kobilka at Stanford University at the end of 2017 for postdoctoral work. There, I’ve been working towards understanding the molecular basis of G protein-coupled receptor desensitization and trafficking. My postdoc work has made use of several techniques including various mass spectrometry approaches, single particle cryo-EM and single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. In July 2024 I will join the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics. Besides research, I am passionate about teaching, science communication and making research more inclusive and welcoming. Outside of the lab, I am an avid bike racer, an occasional cycling coach, and I enjoy spending time with my wife, son, and Bernedoodle." Dr. John Janetzko on the web Stanford University Stanford Medicine Google Scholar Personal Website ResearchGate LinkedIn Twitter Dr. GPCR AI Summary AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy. Quick recap In their conversation, Yamina and John discussed crafting social media posts for John's scientific content. They also shared their respective backgrounds and future plans, with John planning to start his own lab at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. John shared his journey into science, from his interest in creative fields to his involvement in the Chemistry Olympiad and subsequent academic pursuits. The conversation also touched on the challenges of applying for academic positions in the US, the importance of adaptability in one's career, and the potential benefits of networking and mentorship. Next steps • Yamina will share ideas on supporting John's new academic position after the recording stops. • John will prioritize getting feedback from people outside his lab to structure his job seminars. Summary Social Media Post Crafting for GPCRs Yamina and John discussed crafting social media posts for John's scientific content. Yamina emphasized that the content should be kept in a PG-13 context and be scientifically related to GPCRs. John expressed his comfort in sharing his stories and agreed to follow Yamina's guidelines. They also discussed their respective backgrounds and John's future plans to start his own lab at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. John shared his journey into science and his initial interest in creative fields. John's Chemistry Olympiad Journey John shared his experiences in high school, where he developed a keen interest in advanced physics and math curriculum. He participated in various academic competitions, including math, physics, and chemistry contests. John explained that he was drawn to chemistry because it allowed him to build things in his mind and design them. He discovered the National Chemistry Olympiad and was selected to attend a provincial training camp at the University of Toronto. This led to his participation in the National Training Program in Quebec City and his selection to represent Canada at the Chemistry Olympiad in Moscow, Russia. John also mentioned his university application process, which was less stressful than the US system. Yamina shared her own experiences with applying to universities in Canada and the US. John's Chemistry Olympiad and GPCR Journey John shared his experience with the Chemistry Olympiad program, highlighting its rigorousness and advanced content that exceeds typical high school curriculums. He also reflected on his journey from his early involvement in a university chemistry lab to his current interest in graduate school, inspired by the innovative approach of using chemistry to understand and build tools for biology. Yamina sought clarification on John's involvement with GPCRs, but the transcript ended before he could respond. John's Scientific Journey and Lab Collaboration John discussed his scientific journey, starting with a project in Suzanne Walker's lab focusing on the essential mammalian protein O-GlcNAc transferase. He then moved to Dan's lab where he met Suzanne and her project. Towards the end of his PhD, John became interested in understanding how proteins operate as large macromolecular machines and decided to work on memory proteins. He chose Brian's lab due to his interest in studying conformational changes. John shared his experience of reaching out to and securing a position in Brian's lab. He detailed his initial email contact, the subsequent Skype meeting, and the in-person visit that led to his acceptance of the position. John also discussed the potential complications that arose when his then-girlfriend, now wife, was applying for residencies. Ultimately, John did join the lab after his girlfriend successfully matched at Stanford. John explained the collaborative culture in Brian's lab, where individuals are encouraged to pursue projects aligned with their interests. He shared his experience working on a project involving receptor kinases and collaborating with other postdocs in the lab to develop assays and improve the biochemistry of certain targets. The conversation emphasized the importance of diverse backgrounds and skill sets in tackling complex challenges and finding solutions. Academia vs. Industry: Career Progression Discussion Yamina and John had a detailed discussion about the prospects of staying in academia versus transitioning to biotech or industry. John shared his thoughts about the great science happening in other sectors and how the decision largely depended on the opportunities presented. Yamina agreed and sought advice from John on career progression in academia. John suggested building milestones and landmarks into a postdoc, such as applying for funding opportunities, and getting diverse feedback to effectively present work. The conversation ended with Yamina asking when a postdoc should start considering their next steps in their career. Academic Position Applications and Transition Preparation John and Yamina discussed the extensive process of applying for academic positions in the US. John suggested starting preparations a year to two years ahead due to the time needed to develop ideas, write proposals, and get feedback. They also highlighted the need for mentorship and networking in finding job opportunities. Yamina questioned whether universities adequately prepare postdocs for the transition to industry or academia, suggesting a detailed manual or guide might be helpful. Both agreed on the importance of adaptability, as unexpected situations like the Covid-19 pandemic can affect the job searching process. John shared his experiences, stating that he submitted approximately 35 to 40 applications and that the interview process is time-consuming. Career Choices and Support in Academia John shared his positive experiences from job interviews and forming friendships with colleagues at various institutions. He also discussed the challenges of choosing between job offers, including considering his wife's career, her family's location in Denver, and other factors like monetary package and colleagues. John emphasized that negotiating salary is often not possible due to strict regulations. Yamina suggested having round tables to discuss these topics. John then reflected on his career, sharing key moments of realization in his scientific work and his upcoming transition out of his lab. The conversation concluded with both John and Yamina expressing a desire to support the academic community in various ways. 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 Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Subscribe to the Adhesion GPCR Workshop 2024 newsletter. Get the latest updates, speaker announcements, and exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox. Adhesion GPCR workshop 2024 CINVESTAV, Mexico City, Mexico October 23-25 Register AGPCR Newsletter Adhesion GPCR Consortium Newsletter - May 2024 Welcome to the 4th official Adhesion GPCR Consortium newsletter! We welcome suggestions, feedback, and announcements from the community.... Dr. GPCR News Register for the Adhesion GPCR 2024 Learn more about the Adhesion GPCR workshop 2024 Up About the event Learn more about the Adhesion GPCR workshop 2024 and its preliminary program. Up About the venue Discover Cinvestav, the host venue for the upcoming workshop. Up Abstract Submission Submit your research abstracts following our guidelines to present at the conference. Up Traveling Tips Find essential tips about Mexico City, including transportation options and local insights.

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