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Join us in strengthening the global GPCR community. Your tax-deductible donation supports education, collaboration, and innovation. Dr GPCR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Help Us Build a Global Home for GPCR Science Your donation bridges the gap between academia and biotech — transforming knowledge into real-world impact, faster. Make a Contribution Secure via Wix Payments - Tax-deductible - One-time or recurring Where Your Donation Goes? Fueling Every Corner of the GPCR Ecosystem Every contribution directly supports the programs, tools, and gatherings that make this community thrive. 🎓 Dr. GPCR University Expanding cutting-edge educational programs — new lessons, interactive modules, and resources accessible to GPCR professionals everywhere. 💼 Job Board & Career Growth Helping researchers and biotech companies find the right opportunities to grow together through our community job board. 🤝 Retreats & Happy Hours Free and affordable gatherings that foster collaboration and mentorship across disciplines — connecting scientists, founders, and innovators. ⚙️ Community Infrastructure Maintaining and improving the tools, platforms, and systems that keep the Dr. GPCR Ecosystem open, reliable, and thriving. Choose Your Impact Every Gift Moves the Science Forward Whether it's keeping Happy Hours free or funding the next scholarship, your contribution makes a tangible difference. $25 Supporter Keeps Dr. GPCR Happy Hours and community events free or affordable worldwide. Donate $25 $1,000 Catalyst Funds scholarships, retreats, and mentorship opportunities for early-career GPCR researchers. Donate $1,000 Most Popular $250 Champion Expands University content with new lessons, updated materials, and interactive learning modules. Donate $250 $5,000+ Visionary Powers new educational initiatives and programs that shape the future of GPCR research. Donate $5,000 🎁 Give the Gift of Learning $500 Gift a Membership Donate a full year of Dr. GPCR University Premium to a colleague, mentee, or even yourself — the gift of cutting-edge GPCR education. Gift Premium Access ⭐ Full Partner Recognition $20,000+ Strategic Partner Recognized across Dr. GPCR channels — logo on our website, acknowledgment in podcasts, videos, and events, and a direct line to our leadership. Become a Partner Donate Frequency One time One time Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly Amount $25 $25 $250 $250 $1,000 $1,000 $5,000 $5,000 Other Other 0/300 Comment (optional) Donate $25 Donor Recognition Your Generosity, Acknowledged We believe every contribution deserves recognition. ✉️ Personal Thank-You Every donor receives a personal thank-you email and tax receipt. 🎙️ Public Acknowledgment Selected donors are thanked in podcast intros, videos, and events. ⭐ Strategic Partner Status At $20K+, your logo is featured on our website and community pages, with acknowledgment across all Dr. GPCR channels. Frequently Asked Questions Common Questions Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes. Dr. GPCR is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Can I donate on behalf of a company? Yes — use the "Comment" section in the donation form to add the company name, and we'll provide an invoice/receipt. Can I set up a monthly donation? Absolutely. Monthly donations sustain long-term programs and can be changed at any time through the donation form. Will I be recognized publicly? Yes — we love thanking our donors through our channels and platform. You can also opt out if you prefer privacy. Help Us Close the Gap Between Academia and Biotech Together, we can accelerate GPCR discoveries and develop more effective drugs for everyone. Donate Now

<< 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 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 >>

Watch expert talks, interviews, and insights on Dr. Channel — your video hub for GPCR science, innovation, and community stories. Dr. Channel -Under Construction-

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Nyla Naim, Dr. Michael Lemieux & Dr. Jason Nasse About Dr. Nyla Naim Nyla is a Senior Scientist on the Scientific Support Team at Addgene . She received her Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh and continued her postdoctoral research at the University of Vermont studying cellular signaling, biosensors, and optogenetics. Nyla supports biomedical research by connecting researchers with resources and promoting reproducible science. Dr. Nyla Naim on the web LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Ecosystem About Dr. Michael Lemieux ''My name is Michael (Mike) Lemieux and I am a Connecticut native. I completed my Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology at UConn and then joined Addgene as a Quality Control Scientist in 2015. Since then I transitioned into a Scientific Support role to leverage my passion for helping people! Beyond my interest in science, I am a strong advocate for graduate education reform and I love to write.'' Dr. Michael Lemieux on the web Addgene Blog Dr. GPCR Ecosystem About Dr. Jason Nasse Dr. Jason Nasse is a senior scientist at Addgene specializing in the use of AAV viral vectors. He obtained his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Ohio State University focusing on synaptic plasticity and adrenergic receptor modulation of both pre-and postsynaptic properties. By taking a very non-traditional path to obtain a Ph.D. Dr. Nasse has had the opportunity to experience how science is performed across different sectors and around the country. Prior to his role at Addgene, Jason held roles in academia, big pharma, and non-profit research organizations. Dr. Jason Nasse on the web 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 >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Scott Struthers R. Scott Struthers, Ph.D., is our co-founder and has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since December 2008. Prior to Crinetics, he was senior director and head of endocrinology and metabolism at Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., from 1998 to 2008. At Neurocrine, he initiated and led the effort to discover and develop orally active, nonpeptide GnRH antagonists, including elagolix. Prior to Neurocrine, from 1995 to 1998, he co-founded ScienceMedia Inc. to develop eLearning solutions for the life sciences and higher education markets. Between 1992 to 1995 he led contract research efforts at Biosym Technologies to develop and apply computational tools for drug discovery. In 2021, Dr. Struthers co-founded and serves as board chair at Radionetics Oncology, a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel radiotherapeutics for oncology indications. In addition, he is a member of the board of directors of the San Diego Entrepreneurs Exchange, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for early-stage start-ups, which he co-founded in [2009.] R. Scott Struthers on the web LinkedIn Google Scholar Crinetics Radionetics 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 >>

Explore Martin Marro’s impact on GPCR drug discovery, assay innovation, and translational pharmacology bridging academia, pharma, and biotech. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) GPCR Assay Strategy, Bias, and Translational Drug Discovery This episode features Dr. Martin Marro, currently Executive Director and Head of Cell Pharmacology at Eli Lilly’s Obesity Research Group. Dr. Marro’s career spans big pharma and biotech, encompassing functional assay development, GPCR internalization research, and both small molecule and biologic drug discovery. He discusses his formative scientific experiences, critical decision points moving from academia into industry, and his role leading and shaping multidisciplinary teams for screening and innovative therapeutics targeting metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The conversation explores the realities of using fluorescence-based assays, the challenge of translating in vitro pharmacology to in vivo models, lessons on bias agonism, and novel approaches in antibody discovery for GPCR targets. Dr. Marro’s path highlights the strategic and methodological pivots essential for driving projects into the clinic. For a deeper dive into modern GPCR research and tools, explore more episodes of the GPCR Podcast and discover Dr. GPCR Premium resources. Why This Matters? How advanced assay design is essential for translating cell-based GPCR signals to therapeutic outcomes. Why strategic flexibility in exploring non-canonical signaling pathways is critical for GPCR-targeted drug discovery. What learning from “failed” screens can reveal about receptor pharmacology and species selectivity. The moment when bias agonism and receptor trafficking concepts shifted industry standards for functional assays. How integrating antibody-based modalities has expanded options for hard-to-drug GPCR targets. Why persistent scientific questioning and collaborative networks accelerate GPCR innovation across disease areas. Who Should Listen? This episode is relevant to anyone navigating the complex landscape of GPCR research and translational pharmacology. Those facing disconnects between in vitro functional data and in vivo efficacy in GPCR programs. Researchers refining strategies for high-throughput screening or exploring biased signaling. Teams expanding into antibody or biologic modalities for challenging GPCR targets. Scientists seeking practical advice on career pivots between academia, pharma, and biotech. About Martin Marro Dr. Martin Marro leads the Cell Pharmacology group in the Diabetes, Obesity and Complications Therapeutic Area at Lilly's Seaport Innovation Center in Boston. His scientific training included a PhD at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, followed by an industrial postdoctoral fellowship at GSK, where he entered the GPCR field and became proficient in aptamer selection and cell signaling assays. Dr. Marro’s career advanced through roles at Novartis and Tectonic Therapeutic, contributing to projects across key therapeutic areas—spanning metabolic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases. With over two decades in drug discovery, he has established expertise in early phase functional assay development, small molecule and biologics research, and team leadership through high-profile programs. Awarded patents and a proven record in both target and pathway identification, his drive centers on integrating rigorous pharmacology with translational impact while cultivating innovation and scientific growth within his teams. Guest on The Web 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 >>

A conversation with Prof. David Hodson on visualizing GLP-1 and GIP receptors in pancreatic islets and brain circuits to advance GPCR-targeted therapies for diabetes and obesity. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Visualizing GLP-1 & GIP Receptors in Islets and Brain In this episode, Professor David Hodson discusses how GLP-1 and GIP receptors regulate metabolism across the pancreas and brain, and why visualizing receptor localization and signaling in real tissues is essential for advancing GPCR drug discovery . His team develops fluorescence-based and chemically engineered tools to study gpcr internalization and ligand engagement in intact islets and neuronal circuits — insights that inform next-generation functional assay development and translational therapeutic design. The conversation also highlights the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in accelerating innovation in diabetes and obesity research. Why this matters How receptor distribution in islets and brain circuits shapes incretin hormone drug effects Why visualization tools changed our understanding of GPCR signaling in metabolic tissues What collaborative chemistry enabled in designing receptor-targeted fluorescent ligands The moment when structural and imaging evidence clarified unexpected glucagon-derived peptide behavior How future metabolic therapies may evolve based on receptor cross-talk and tissue-specific engagement Who should listen Navigated complex datasets where interpretation depended on biological context Balanced innovation with the need for reproducible, well-controlled functional assays Worked across disciplines where chemistry, pharmacology, and physiology converge Questioned how drug action differs in real tissues vs. recombinant cell lines …this episode will resonate. About David Hodson Prof. David Hodson is the Robert Turner Professor of Diabetic Medicine at the University of Oxford , working within the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism. Originally trained as a Veterinary Surgeon , he completed postdoctoral research at the CNRS in Montpellier before establishing his independent laboratory at Imperial College London as a Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellow. He later served as Professor of Cellular Metabolism and Institute Deputy Director at the University of Birmingham. His group develops imaging and chemical biology tools to reveal how GLP-1 and GIP receptors operate within complex tissues, with direct relevance to type 2 diabetes and obesity therapy . David Hodson on the Web Radcliffe Department of Medicine Islet Biology Lab University of Birmingham 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 >>

Dr. Jennifer Pluznick explains why olfactory receptors in the kidney are more than curiosities — they sense gut-microbe metabolites, modulate blood pressure, and are forcing a rethink of what "smell" actually means. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Jennifer Pluznick: Olfactory Receptors in the Kidney and the Gut-Microbe Signal Olfactory receptors are known by a single address — the nose. But a microarray Dr. Jennifer Pluznick ran as a postdoctoral fellow placed them, surprisingly, at the top of a kidney gene expression list. She almost dismissed the result as an artifact. Instead, she followed it, and the decision has shaped the direction of her lab at Johns Hopkins ever since. In this conversation, Dr. Pluznick explores what changes when olfactory receptors are treated not as smell receptors but as general-purpose chemosensors — scattered across the body and tuned to ligands circulating in the blood. She walks through the kidney ORs her group has connected to renin release, to proximal tubule glucose handling, and to blood pressure regulation. One of those receptors is activated by small-molecule metabolites produced by gut microbes, a finding she still calls mind-blowing and that she continues to unpack. The conversation also surfaces the field's quiet bottlenecks: the trafficking problem that traps ORs in the ER, the orthology gap between 1,000 mouse receptors and 350 human ones, and the reagents — antibodies, agonists, antagonists — that the community still does not have. About the Guest Dr. Jennifer Pluznick is Associate Professor of Physiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her lab studies the role of understudied GPCRs — olfactory receptors, taste receptors, and orphan GPRs — in kidney physiology. Her group has linked specific kidney olfactory receptors to blood pressure regulation via the renin-angiotensin pathway, to glucose handling in the proximal tubule, and to circulating metabolites generated by the gut microbiota. She first encountered olfactory receptors in the kidney during her postdoctoral training, and her lab continues to deorphanize and functionally characterize them today. Scientific Themes of the Conversation Olfactory receptors as general-purpose chemosensors outside the nose Deorphanization strategies for kidney-expressed GPCRs The renin-angiotensin axis and OR-mediated blood pressure control Gut microbiota metabolites as endogenous GPCR ligands Receptor trafficking and the ER-retention problem for ectopically expressed ORs Mouse-to-human orthology in a highly expanded receptor family Key Insights from the Conversation A surprise at the top of a microarray. When Dr. Pluznick's postdoc screen flagged olfactory receptors as top hits in a kidney disease cell line, her first instinct was to distrust the data. A single comment from her advisor — olfactory receptors in the kidney could actually be really cool — reframed a possible artifact as a research program. Reframing olfactory receptors as chemosensors. The name "olfactory receptor" narrows the imagination. Dr. Pluznick argues they are better understood as chemical sensors that happen to dominate the nose. Once reframed that way, ectopic expression in tissues like the kidney stops seeming strange and starts making sense. Two kidney ORs with physiology attached. One OR her lab has studied modulates renin release and therefore blood pressure; another regulates glucose handling through a transporter family that includes a validated type 2 diabetes target. Both started as receptors with no known ligand, no known localization, and no reason to expect physiological relevance. Gut microbes at the other end of the signal. The OR linked to blood pressure is activated by small-molecule metabolites produced by gut bacteria at low millimolar circulating concentrations. That makes blood pressure regulation, in part, a readout of microbial metabolism — a connection Dr. Pluznick describes as something that still blows her mind. Trafficking as a field-wide bottleneck. Exogenously expressed ORs tend to get stuck in the ER. Matsunami's RTP1S chaperone, the Rho tag, and the Pluznick lab's Lucy tag — a cleavable leucine-rich signal sequence developed by a rotation student — each help, but no combination fully solves the problem for every OR. The trafficking failure itself may encode something about how tightly ORs are regulated in olfactory sensory neurons. The orthology gap. Mice have ~1,000 olfactory receptors; humans have ~350. Sequence-based orthology calls are often ambiguous, and in the Pluznick lab's hands, putative orthologs frequently fail to share ligand profiles. Finding functional orthologs — not just sequence matches — is non-trivial, and it matters for anyone hoping to translate kidney OR biology into a human drug. Follow the data that surprises you. Dr. Pluznick's advice to early-career scientists is shaped by her own near-dismissal of an inconvenient microarray result. Established assumptions about where a receptor "belongs" are often what stop a discovery from being recognized as one. Episode Timeline Timestamps were generated using AI for readability. 00:00 Opening: newsletter, season close, and welcome 02:13 Becoming a scientist as a first-gen college student 04:17 The case for chasing understudied GPCRs in the kidney 06:18 "Olfactory receptors will always be my first love" 08:45 Renin, blood pressure, and a glucose-handling receptor 12:14 Localization and ligand screening when there's no antibody 17:06 What happens to OR expression in a disease kidney 19:56 The orthology problem: 1,000 mouse ORs, 350 human ones 23:08 RTP1S, the Rho tag, and the Lucy tag 29:20 One-neuron-one-receptor and the tight regulation of smell 36:57 The aha moment: gut microbes, a GPCR, and blood pressure 39:58 Diversity as everyone's responsibility Selected Quotes "I famously said that I wasn't sure I could really trust the data because these crazy receptors came out as the top hits. But my postdoc advisor, who's much wiser than I, said, 'olfactory receptors in the kidney, though — that could be really cool.' And somehow when he said it, it sounded like a much better idea." "Olfactory receptors as a class will always be my first love in terms of GPCRs." "Your blood pressure regulation is somehow tied to the activity of your gut microbes. And that is something that still kind of blows my mind." "You need to follow your data, even when it surprises you, even when it might go against what you assumed to be true before you started the experiment." About this episode Dr. Pluznick discovered that olfactory receptors in mice are also expressed in their kidneys and blood vessels. Her research is focused on the role of chemosensory GPCRs in regulating renal and cardiovascular function, and identifying renal/cardiovascular olfactory receptor ligands, and relating them to whole-animal physiology. This work contributes to a better understanding of how the kidney helps maintain homeostasis in humans. Jennifer is currently an assistant professor of physiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Truman State University and earned her Ph.D. in renal physiology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She then spent five years training as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Michael Caplan at Yale University, where she studied both renal physiology and sensory biology systems and focused on olfaction. Dr. Jennifer Pluznick on the web John Hopkins Pluznick Lab Pubmed Ted Talk 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 >>

GPCRs drive cancer more often than the textbooks say. Dr. Silvio Gutkind on G protein hotspot mutations, why the canonical GαQ pathway fails in uveal melanoma, and how CXCR3 may gate immunotherapy response. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Silvio Gutkind: When GPCRs Drive Cancer GPCRs are the most drugged protein family in medicine, but until recently their role in cancer was treated as marginal — a few curiosities around mas and muscarinic receptors, overshadowed by kinases and Ras. The emergence of cancer genomics has dismantled that framing. Roughly 20% of tumors now show mutations in GPCRs or their coupled G proteins, and specific cancers — uveal melanoma above all — are understood to be driven almost entirely by single hotspot mutations in GαQ. For Dr. J. Silvio Gutkind, who has spent more than three decades pushing GPCRs as oncogenic signaling systems, the shift has concrete stakes: uveal melanoma patients who metastasize to the liver live six to twelve months, and every pathway his lab has opened — from TRIO and Rho to YAP and FAK — has been an attempt to give those patients something the canonical PLC pathway could not. In this conversation, Dr. Gutkind traces how GPCRs moved from a side project nobody believed in to a recognized driver class in oncology, and explains why chemokine receptors like CXCR3 may be the next frontier for understanding immunotherapy response. About the Guest Dr. J. Silvio Gutkind is Professor of Pharmacology and Associate Director of Basic Science at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. His training began at the University of Buenos Aires on alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, continued at the NIH across neurobiology and oncogenes, and grew into a multi-decade program on GPCR signaling in cancer — first as NIH branch chief at NIDCR, then as head of a team that moved cross-country with him to UCSD in 2015. His lab combines classical pharmacology with cancer genomics, bioinformatics, and synthetic lethality approaches to identify druggable nodes downstream of G protein mutations. Current focuses include GαQ-driven uveal melanoma, GαS mutations across pancreatic, colon, and appendix cancers, and chemokine receptor biology in cancer immunotherapy. Scientific Themes of the Conversation GPCRs as oncogenes without mutations — aberrant expression and "oncocrine" autocrine/paracrine signaling The cancer genomics revolution and the rise of G protein hotspot mutations (GαQ Q209, GαS, Gα13) GαQ-driven uveal melanoma and the limits of the canonical PLC pathway Non-canonical GαQ signaling through TRIO, Rho, YAP, and the druggable FAK node CXCR3 and the chemokine axis that gates immunotherapy response Structural biology, machine learning, and team science in GPCR pharmacology Key Insights from the Conversation 1. GPCRs don't need mutations to drive cancer. Aberrant expression — a receptor in the wrong place at the wrong time, paired with autocrine or paracrine ligand — is sufficient to transform cells. Early focus-formation assays using muscarinic receptors and carbachol produced transforming efficiencies comparable to Ras, and the community largely looked away because the biology didn't fit the prevailing mutation-centric frame. 2. Cancer genomics rewrote the role of G proteins. Roughly 20% of tumors carry mutations in GPCRs or G proteins, with striking hotspots in GαQ, GαS, and Gα13. Most large cancer sequencing panels now include these genes — though most oncologists are still unsure what the results mean clinically, leaving a gap between the genomic data and how it's acted upon. 3. The uveal melanoma driver is almost monogenic. Nearly 93% of uveal melanomas carry a single GαQ Q209 activating mutation that blocks GTPase activity. Beyond this driver, the tumor has only a handful of additional mutations — more like a pediatric cancer than an adult one. The canonical assumption that targeting PLC would be therapeutic has failed in the clinic, and patients with liver metastases still have six to twelve months to live. 4. Non-canonical signaling opened a new drug target. A synthetic lethality analysis performed entirely in silico revealed that GαQ tumors depend not only on PLC but on a TRIO → Rho → YAP axis, with FAK emerging as a druggable downstream node. That insight is now powering focal adhesion kinase–directed clinical trials, including one Dr. Gutkind's team is launching. 5. CXCR3 may be the hidden gatekeeper of immunotherapy response. CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 are among the most robust predictive signatures for checkpoint inhibitor response — and all three are ligands for CXCR3. In knockout mice, loss of CXCR3 abolishes response to both anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4, reframing the receptor as something to activate, not block. 6. "What the heck" moments define real discoveries. Two of Dr. Gutkind's most cited papers came from results that directly contradicted the textbook: βγ subunits (not α) activating ERK through Gi-coupled receptors, and Rho GTPases (not Ras) driving JNK activation. Both required trusting the data when the conceptual framework was telling the team they must be wrong. Both landed in Nature and Cell respectively. 7. Team science is structural, not decorative. The 2020 Cell paper on G protein coupling specificity came from a Gordon Conference hallway conversation, combining bioinformatics from Europe, high-throughput screens from Japan, and biology from UCSD. And the 12 people who moved cross-country from NIH to UCSD did so because of relationships built over years — a retention outcome Dr. Gutkind attributes to the team, not the weather. Selected Quotes "The very simple concept is that GPCRs do not need to be mutated to be oncogenic." "There are cancers that are driven by G proteins. That changed the landscape in terms of understanding and appreciation." "What the heck — this doesn't make sense. And that was our first Cell paper. Still our most cited paper." "Don't be afraid to send emails." Episode Timeline 00:00 Introduction 02:09 From Buenos Aires to NIH: a career that followed the science, not the field 06:19 Operation Exodus — the team that moved cross-country 07:35 The muscarinic focus assay and a side project no one believed in 10:52 The cancer genomics result that reframed GPCRs as drivers 16:45 Why CXCR3 may decide who responds to checkpoint inhibitors 20:28 GαQ, uveal melanoma, and the failure of the textbook pathway 41:27 Structural biology, machine learning, and the coupling problem 45:31 Two "what the heck" moments that became Nature and Cell papers 50:48 Advice for young scientists — read, think, question the dogma 56:33 Why small conferences produce the best collaborations Timestamps were generated using AI for readability. About this episode Have you had moments that defined your scientific tastes? For Dr. J Silvio Gutkind, a class on oncogenes and his interests for GPCRs helped shape his scientific interests. These took him from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina to UC San Diego and through the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. In this episode, Silvio discusses G protein signaling in the context of cancer, immunotherapies, and combination therapies that could help improve patients’ lives. Dr. J. Silvio Gutkind on the web Dr. J Silvio Gutkind on LinkedIn Gutkind Lab – UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center Gutkind Lab publications Gutkind Lab on Pubmed Gutkind Lab on Twitter UCSD Moores Cancer Center 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 >>

Explore GPCR lipid rafts, bitter taste receptor pharmacology, and data integration in this expert interview with Dr. Keyvan Sedaghat. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) How Lipid Rafts Organize GPCR Signaling This episode features Dr. Keyvan Sedaghat discussing how GPCR function is shaped by lipid raft compartmentalization, the expanding therapeutic landscape of bitter taste receptors, and the importance of data-driven resources. Dr. Sedaghat details the construction of an open-access GPCR-lipid raft database and reviews key findings from his research on D1 receptor desensitization and GRK isoform signaling. Listeners gain insights into how membrane microdomains modulate GPCR activity, the translational impact of taste receptors in cancer and metabolic diseases, and emerging high-throughput methods for functional assay development. The conversation underscores the ongoing need for rigorous experimental validation following computational predictions. For more on advanced topics in GPCR drug discovery and methods, browse additional episodes at Dr. GPCR Premium. Why This Matters How lipid raft microdomains selectively regulate GPCR signaling and internalization Why the localization of Gα subunits impacts antidepressant drug efficacy and diagnostic innovation What the functional diversity of bitter taste receptors means for novel therapeutic targets beyond sensory biology The moment when open-access GPCR data integration improves both research reproducibility and hypothesis generation How computational approaches and wet-lab validation complement each other in functional assay development Who Should Listen If you face complex GPCR questions at the bench or in translational research, this discussion will resonate. When you’re mapping receptor localization and need to understand the mechanistic role of microdomains If you’re expanding functional assays to capture non-canonical GPCR roles in disease When integrating computational predictions with real-world pharmacological readouts If you see the research value in collaborative, up-to-date GPCR data resources About Keyvan Sedaghat Keyvan Sedaghat began his scientific training with a pharmacy degree in Iran, then completed his graduate education in cellular and molecular medicine with a specialization in pharmacology at the University of Ottawa. There, under Professor Mario Tiberi, he focused on G protein-coupled receptors and D1 receptor regulation—work that sparked his ongoing engagement with receptor signaling and microdomain biology. Dr. Sedaghat has accumulated over two decades of teaching and research in pharmacology, contributing as a professor, senior lecturer, editorial board member, and scientific officer in both pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. His current efforts bridge teaching in Toronto and ongoing research, including the development of an online GPCR-lipid raft database and investigation of bitter taste receptors’ roles beyond sensory systems. He remains driven by a commitment to rigorous science, data accessibility, and advancing the mechanistic understanding of GPCR pharmacology. Guest on the Web LinkedIn 7TMR-RAFT database 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 Scientist's Compass: From Academia to Entrepreneurship with Dr. Dmitry Veprintsev In this episode, Yamina sits down with Prof. Dmitry Veprintsev , a molecular pharmacologist at the University of Nottingham, to discuss his scientific journey, GPCR research, and the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship. Key Takeaways: From Protein Folding to GPCRs – How Dmitry transitioned from biophysics and protein folding to cannabinoid receptor research, guided by key mentors like Michel Bouvier. Why GPCRs? – The challenge and excitement of working with notoriously difficult-to-study membrane proteins. The Power of Asking the Right Question – Dmitry emphasizes that mastering a technique isn’t enough—true scientific breakthroughs come from formulating the right biological questions. Building Z7 Biotech – The unexpected journey into biotech entrepreneurship, providing GPCR profiling services to pharma and biotech companies. Interdisciplinary Research & Future Directions – Exploring combinatorial drug actions, receptor interactions, and novel profiling approaches. Networking & Career Growth – Overcoming introversion, the importance of talking to people, and how networking (or just genuine curiosity) opens doors in science. 💡 Big Takeaway? Whether in academia or industry, success comes from curiosity, persistence, and knowing your values. Tune in to hear how Dmitry navigated his career, the challenges of studying GPCRs, and why talking to others will always lead to answers! Summary made with AI About Dmitry Veprintsev Dmitry is Professor of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Nottingham, where he provides leadership in structural and biophysical pharmacology of G protein coupled receptors. He is author of over 100 papers, including several in Nature, Science and Cell. Dmitry studied biophysics at the Moscow State University, followed by a PhD (1998) in protein folding at the Russian Academy of Sciences and at the Ohio State University, USA. He joined the MRC Centre for Protein Engineering and later at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK as a postdoctoral fellow and later as a staff scientist, focusing on the biophysical studies of the tumour suppressor p53. In 2010 he became a group leader at the Paul Scherrer Institute and ETH Zürich in Switzerland, changing his attention to structural pharmacology of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In 2017 Dmitry became a full professor at the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, COMPARE, a joined venture between the University of Birmingham and the University of Nottingham. In 2021 he co-founded Z7 Biotech, developing and providing innovative GPCR drug screening and precision pharmacology services. Dmitry Veprintsev on the web LinkedIn Veprintsev Lab Z7 Biotech University of Nottingham 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 >>

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 >>

Get ready to connect, collaborate, and innovate at the Dr. GPCR Retreat — an immersive event uniting scientists, biotech leaders, and innovators in GPCR research. Dr. GPCR Retreat - Coming Soon - Please tell us your thoughts about scientific gatherings by filling out this short survey

<< 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 >>