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Discover the Dr. GPCR Ecosystem – the ultimate hub for GPCR professionals to connect, collaborate, and advance drug discovery. Home: About Accelerating GPCR Drug Discovery, Together Dr. GPCR is the global hub where academia and industry meet to advance GPCR research, accelerate drug discovery, and foster collaboration across the entire ecosystem. 👉 Join Free Today 🔒 Go Premium Strategic Partner(s) Your Path to GPCR Mastery Flexible, career-ready courses designed by scientists for scientists. GPCR Courses ➚ GPCR Weekly News ➚ Dr. GPCR Podcast ➚ Articles from the Ecosystem ➚ The One Reason Why Biotech Startups Fail More Often Than They Should Why Biotech Fundraising Fails Due to Intellectual Property Gaps The Hidden Operating Cadence That’s Actually Driving Your Biotech GPCR Binding Affinity Experiments: Interpreting Data With Confidence as We Head Into 2026 GPCR Flash News ➚ Closing the Gap Between Academia and Industry Our vision is simple: empower the GPCR field through shared knowledge, collaboration, and open access to tools that accelerate drug discovery. 🤝 Support the Mission Home: Premium Premium Yearly $499 $ 499 Every year 🚀 Everything you need to master GPCR science — in one membership. Valid until canceled Select 🎓 Full GPCR University + 🔬 200+ expert talks 🗞️ Weekly research, careers & event intelligence 🤝 Members-only networking, AMAs & matchmaking 💡 Support open resources for the global GPCR field 🧠 Designed for researchers at every career stage 🚀 Don’t just keep up — lead the way. 🔒 Grandfather Guarantee, your rate never increases Everything You Need to Master GPCR Science in One Membership Join the most complete GPCR learning & collaboration hub. Closing the Gap Between Academia and Industry Our vision is simple: empower the GPCR field through shared knowledge, collaboration, and open access to tools that accelerate drug discovery. 🤝 Support the Mission

Your go-to hub for everything GPCR! Stay ahead with the latest research breakthroughs, industry updates, job opportunities, and upcoming events—all in one place. GPCR Weekly News - Your Hub for GPCR Research, Industry Updates, Jobs & Events Delivered straight to your inbox every week Become a Premium Member Welcome to GPCR Weekly News! Whether you're a GPCR scientist, biotech innovator, or industry professional, GPCR Weekly News keeps you connected to the discoveries and opportunities that matter most. Latest Research Breakthrough discoveries, new publications, and cutting-edge GPCR research insights. Industry Events Upcoming conferences, workshops, webinars, and networking events worldwide. Career Opportunities GPCR job listings, career tips, and networking opportunities in the field. Read the Free Edition Here's a preview of what you'll find in our latest newsletter GPCR Binding Affinity Experiments: Interpreting Data With Confidence as We Head Into 2026 As scientists, we know curves don’t equal clarity. As 2025 comes to a close, this final edition of Weekly News focuses on how GPCR binding affinity experiments are interpreted—and how those interpretations quietly shape SAR, lead selection, and development timelines long before anyone notices. The goal isn’t more data. It’s cleaner interpretation. And that’s exactly what carries strong discovery programs into 2026. Dr. GPCR News 3 min read Get Premium for Full Access Latest Issues Binding Affinity, Measured With Confidence — Closing Out 2025 Read Full Issue Dec 12 - 18, 2025 2025 Wrap-Up : A Year of Progress Across the GPCR Community Read Full Issue Dec 5 - 11, 2025 How System-Level GPCR Insights Strengthen Every Discovery Decision Read Full Issue November 21 - December 4, 2025 Schild Truths & Incretin Insights — This Week in GPCRs Read Full Issue November 14 - 20, 2025 Crafting Chemical Keys for GPCR Drug Discovery Read Full Issue November 7 - 13, 2025 A Note from Yamina — The Next Chapter of Dr. GPCR Read Full Issue Oct 24 - Nov 6, 2025 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 8 About GPCR Weekly News GPCR Weekly News was launched in 2020 as part of the Dr. GPCR initiative. Our mission is to provide timely, relevant, and accessible information to scientists and industry professionals working in GPCR research and drug discovery. Every week, our team curates the most important developments so you never miss a breakthrough, opportunity, or event that could impact your work. Learn More about DrGPCR Unlock Premium 🔥 Upgrade to Premium Premium Yearly $499 $ 499 Every year 🚀 Everything you need to master GPCR science — in one membership. Valid until canceled Join Premium Now 🎓 Full GPCR University + 🔬 200+ expert talks 🗞️ Weekly research, careers & event intelligence 🤝 Members-only networking, AMAs & matchmaking 💡 Support open resources for the global GPCR field 🧠 Designed for researchers at every career stage 🚀 Don’t just keep up — lead the way. 🔒 Grandfather Guarantee, your rate never increases Ready to Stay Ahead in GPCR Research? Join scientists worldwide who rely on GPCR Weekly News for the latest insights and opportunities.

Discover the incredible benefits of the Dr. GPCR University. ​All these benefits are designed to enhance your research experience and keep you informed about the latest developments in GPCR science.​ Accelerate Your GPCR Research Join a global community of scientists transforming how GPCR discoveries happen — through shared learning, collaboration, and expert insight. Access the tools, knowledge, and network that empower you to go further, faster. 🔥 Unlock Premium Now! Premium Membership Benefits Everything you need to stay at the forefront of GPCR research and advance your career. Expert-Led GPCR Courses 200+ Expert Talks Events & Jobs Board Complete GPCR Coverage Community Tools Career Matchmaker Why is it Worth It? Common concerns and why Premium delivers exceptional value "It's too expensive." At less than $1 a day, Premium gives you access to 20+ on-demand GPCR courses, 200+ expert talks, and global networking tools. One insight, one connection, one ‘aha’ moment — can save months of research time. "I already get what I need from papers." Papers inform. DrGPCR helps you understand and apply that knowledge — through structured training, expert context, and real interaction with peers from academia and industry. "I'm not sure I'll use it often." Even one course or one new collaboration can make a difference. Members often find value in ways they didn’t expect — from expert feedback to career-changing introductions. "Will this really help my career?" Yes. Members grow visibility, confidence, and connections that open doors. It’s not just about learning — it’s about being seen, supported, and part of something bigger . Choose a package that works for you $0 Free Stay in the loop! But know you’re only scratching the surface. 📩 Weekly GPCR Brief (basic) 🎙️ Full access to the podcast 📤 Submit jobs & events to the community 📰 Science, tools & trends — no paywall 💸 Share the mission. Earn as you go Join for Free! 🔥 Upgrade to Premium Premium Yearly $499 $ 499 Every year 🚀 Everything you need to master GPCR science — in one membership. Valid until canceled Join Premium Today! 🎓 Full GPCR University + 🔬 200+ expert talks 🗞️ Weekly research, careers & event intelligence 🤝 Members-only networking, AMAs & matchmaking 💡 Support open resources for the global GPCR field 🧠 Designed for researchers at every career stage 🚀 Don’t just keep up — lead the way. 🔒 Grandfather Guarantee, your rate never increases Premium Yearly for Industry Teams $424.15 • per year • per person • 15% discount • minimum 5 seats How does it work? 1️⃣ Gather Your Team 2️⃣ Submit Your Team Details 3️⃣ Complete the Payment 4️⃣ Activate Memberships Get Your Team Discount Developing Countries $24.99 • per year • per person • 90% discount *subject to verification Eligibility Criteria ✔ Live and work in a developing country. ✔ Be employed by an institution, university, or company based in a developing country. ✔ Provide verifiable information for eligibility review. Check Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions Premium Pricing University What is Dr. GPCR Premium? Dr. GPCR Premium is a membership program that gives scientists, students, and industry professionals access to expert GPCR courses, 200+ research talks, career resources, and a global network of GPCR specialists. Who should join Dr. GPCR Premium? Researchers, biotech professionals, CRO teams, students, and anyone seeking deeper insights, networking opportunities, and tools to accelerate GPCR-related research and career growth. What’s included in the Premium membership? 20+ expert courses Complete GPCR coverage 200+ research talks Virtual Café Access Job board access and career tools Networking through the Dr. GPCR community Exclusive partner discounts and events How does Premium differ from the free membership? Free members get limited access to talks and resources, while Premium members enjoy full GPCR content, unlimited event replay access, and advanced networking and career tools. How much does Premium cost? Choose a package that works for you here . Is there a monthly payment option? Currently, the membership is billed annually for maximum savings and uninterrupted access. Choose a package that works for you here . Are the courses self-paced? Yes. All courses and talks are available on-demand so you can learn anytime. Can I register my entire team for Premium? Yes. The Team plan offers discounted rates for groups of 5 or more. Do you offer discounts for students or developing countries? Yes. Members from developing countries can join for $24.99/year. Students please reach out to hello@drgpcr.org What happens after I join? You’ll receive instant access to all Premium resources, your member dashboard, and exclusive community tools to start networking and learning right away. Ready to Advance Your GPCR Research? Join thousands of researchers who trust DrGPCR for cutting-edge insights and resources. Start Your Premium Journey Try Free First

Advance your GPCR research career with Dr. GPCR University. Access 20+ on-demand GPCR courses, 200+ expert talks, weekly news, and a global scientist network. Join Premium today. Dr. GPCR University A nonprofit created by scientists, for scientists—bringing the global GPCR community together to advance biology and therapeutics. 📚 Learn faster. 🤝 Connect deeper. 🔬 Drive discoveries. Join the trusted home for GPCR scientists worldwide, where collaboration fuels innovation and every voice helps shape the future of discovery. Become a Premium Member Strategic Partner(s) Why Join? Learn from leading GPCR experts — anytime, anywhere Access trusted, on-demand courses designed to help you grow your knowledge and confidence. Stay ahead with complete GPCR coverage News, papers, jobs, and industry insights — all curated for scientists who care about what’s next. Get the latest GPCR news delivered to your inbox every week Stay informed and inspired — without the noise. Explore 200+ expert talks that bring GPCR discoveries to life From structural biology to therapeutics — hear directly from the scientists shaping the field. Connect with peers who speak your scientific language Build meaningful collaborations and friendships within a global community of GPCR experts. Find your perfect fit Through personalized matchmaking, discover new roles, partners, or team members who align with your goals. Explore the Masterclass Pharmacology Foundations Build the essential lens every scientist needs to see pharmacology clearly, from core principles to the hidden variables of drug disposition. Advanced Quantitative Approaches Sharpen your toolkit with rigorous quantitative methods that bring clarity to bias, binding, and response analysis. Agonists, Antagonists & Core Mechanisms Master the classic players in GPCR pharmacology and learn how agonists and antagonists shape efficacy, signaling, and therapeutic potential. Innovation & Strategic Application Translate science into impact by exploring unconventional ligands, unique GPCR behaviors, and the strategies to drive successful drug discovery projects. Allosteric Modulation & Kinetics Step beyond orthosteric drugs and uncover the power of allosteric modulators and kinetic insights to unlock new therapeutic dimensions. Explore Premium Package 🔥 Upgrade to Premium Premium Yearly $499 $ 499 Every year 🚀 Everything you need to master GPCR science — in one membership. Valid until canceled Join Premium Today! 🎓 Full GPCR University + 🔬 200+ expert talks 🗞️ Weekly research, careers & event intelligence 🤝 Members-only networking, AMAs & matchmaking 💡 Support open resources for the global GPCR field 🧠 Designed for researchers at every career stage 🚀 Don’t just keep up — lead the way. 🔒 Grandfather Guarantee, your rate never increases See all Discount Options Why is it Worth It? Common concerns and why Premium delivers exceptional value "It's too expensive." At less than $1 a day, Premium gives you access to 20+ on-demand GPCR courses, 200+ expert talks, and global networking tools. One insight, one connection, one ‘aha’ moment — can save months of research time. "I'm not sure I'll use it often." Even one course or one new collaboration can make a difference. Members often find value in ways they didn’t expect — from expert feedback to career-changing introductions. "I already get what I need from papers." Papers inform. DrGPCR helps you understand and apply that knowledge — through structured training, expert context, and real interaction with peers from academia and industry. "Will this really help my career?" Yes. Members grow visibility, confidence, and connections that open doors. It’s not just about learning — it’s about being seen, supported, and part of something bigger . Frequently asked questions What is Dr. GPCR University? Dr. GPCR University is an educational platform that provides in-depth learning and training resources on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). At Dr.GPCR University, you’ll find: Courses: Dive deep into curated educational content designed by experts in GPCR research. Our courses provide comprehensive, on-demand learning to help you expand your knowledge and stay current in the field. Symposia Engage with leading scientists through our symposia, featuring in-depth discussions on cutting-edge research and breakthroughs in GPCR science. Each session brings together a community of experts to share insights and advancements. Summit A global gathering of researchers and professionals showcasing the latest developments in GPCR research. Participate in presentations, networking opportunities, and collaborative sessions. Virtual Café Listen to casual, interactive discussions with experts in the field. How do I register for Dr. GPCR University Masterclasses? To register for any course, you must have a FREE Ecosystem member account . We carefully screen anyone signing up to ensure they are real humans working on GPCRs, so you might not receive confirmation immediately. When signing up for the first time, try to complete as much information as possible about yourself. Who are the Dr. GPCR University Masterclasses designed for? The classes are designed for researchers, students, and professionals in biology, pharmacology, and biochemistry, but anyone interested in GPCR research is welcome to join. What topics are covered in the masterclasses? Masterclasses cover a variety of track including but not limited to p harmacology foundations, agonists, antagonists & core mechanisms , allosteric modulation & kinetics, advanced quantitative approaches and innovation & strategic application Can I register my team for a Dr. GPCR University Masterclasses? To register as a team, one of you must be a Premium Member . This person must email hello@drgpcr.o rg indicating how many people will register for the course, the names of the participants, and their emails. We will contact each person individually to help them set up a FREE Ecosystem Membership . They will be asked to join a private group to keep updated with the latest announcements about the course. Are the masterclasses on-demand or live? Dr. GPCR University offers both on-demand and live classes led by experts in the field. On-demand classes are only available for Premium Members . Do I need prior knowledge of GPCRs to join the masterclasses? Some classes may require basic knowledge of GPCRs, but many are designed to accommodate beginners as well as advanced learners. What kind of certification will I receive upon completing a masterclass? Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Dr. GPCR University, which can be used to showcase your expertise and enhance your professional credentials. Can I access the course material after completing the course? Yes, if you are a premium member. What would you like to learn today? Too many choices? Use our CheatSheet ! Take the Next Step You're building the future of GPCR therapeutics. Now get the courses, insights, and network to accelerate it. Join Premium Membership

Stay current in drug discovery with the University Vault. Quickly get up to speed on new GPCR targets and mechanisms, and gain a competitive edge with our extensive academic archive. University Vault: The Ultimate On-Demand GPCR Learning Library Every talk inside the University Vault represents years of research, collaboration, and innovation that continue to shape the GPCR field. Scientific breakthroughs don't expire! 200+ Expert Presentations 24/7 Access ∞ Rewatches Unlock the Vault Today! Filter & Explore Refine your experience with just three easy filters Select Category Select Event Select Format 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 ... 100 Become a Premium Member 🔥 Upgrade to Premium Premium Yearly $499 $ 499 Every year 🚀 Everything you need to master GPCR science — in one membership. Valid until canceled Join Premium Now 🎓 Full GPCR University + 🔬 200+ expert talks 🗞️ Weekly research, careers & event intelligence 🤝 Members-only networking, AMAs & matchmaking 💡 Support open resources for the global GPCR field 🧠 Designed for researchers at every career stage 🚀 Don’t just keep up — lead the way. 🔒 Grandfather Guarantee, your rate never increases What Scientists Appreciate The most comprehensive library of GPCR knowledge online. Period. Anonymous This looks super useful for drug discovery! The University Vault is a great way to keep up with academic progress and find new GPCR therapies. You can quickly learn about new targets and mechanisms, and it's an amazing competitive intelligence tool. Anonymous As a postdoc, my travel budget is limited. The University Vault gives me on-demand access to the talks I would have missed, keeping me at the cutting edge of the field. Being able to pause and re-watch complex presentations on signaling pathways has been crucial for advancing my own research. It’s the best professional development investment I’ve made. Anonymous Frequently Asked Questions University Vault Premium Pricing What is the University Vault? An exclusive, members-only archive of expert talks from past DrGPCR events, plus comprehensive courses and career resources. Who is it for? Researchers, scientists, postdocs, graduate students, and professionals in GPCR-related fields looking to advance their careers. Is the content still relevant? Absolutely. These presentations provide foundational and advanced insights that continue to inform current research, plus we continuously add new content. How often is new content added? New sessions are uploaded after each DrGPCR Summit or Symposia, plus we regularly add new courses, news, and update career resources. The Field is Evolving—Don't Fall Behind You don't need to attend every event to stay at the forefront of GPCR research. With the Vault, the knowledge comes to you—on demand, on your terms. Get Access Today!

Dr. GPCR Podcast - The Voice of the Community Whether you’re a scientist, student, or just curious, you’ll hear about discoveries, career stories, and the latest GPCR news. Jump in and get inspired! Strategic Partners Latest Podcast Episodes 2025-12-17 2025-11-05 2025-09-02 2025-07-22 2025-05-27 2025-12-03 2025-10-22 2025-08-19 2025-07-08 2025-05-13 2025-11-19 2025-09-22 2025-08-05 2025-06-11 2025-04-29 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 8 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 Listen and subscribe where you get your podcasts

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Translating computational approaches to GPCR biologists with Dr. Riccardo Capelli About Dr. Riccardo Capelli Dr. Riccardo Capelli is an assistant professor in Applied Physics at the Department of Biosciences, University of Milan. He earned his PhD in Physics at the same university, focusing on in silico structural vaccinology and advancing free energy calculation techniques. He then held a postdoctoral position at Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany), where he worked on calculating ligand binding kinetics using classical molecular dynamics. This was followed by a postdoctoral role at the Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy), where he developed coarse-grained models for self-assembling systems. Now in a tenure-track position, his research spans the development of computational methods such as structure-based models and enhanced sampling techniques, as well as their application to biomolecular systems, mainly on GPCRs activation and dynamics. Dr. Ricardo Capelli on the web Google Scholar ResearchGate Bysky App : @ riccardocapelli.bsky.social Twitter X : @ ric_capelli Computational Structural Biology Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Graham Ladds About Dr. Graham Ladds Graham studied Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham before completing a Ph.D. in yeast pheromone signaling at Warwick. He continued to work at Warwick as a post-doc studying pro-hormone convertases before securing a 5-year independent fellowship funded through the NHS. This project enabled him to return to his interest in GPCRs. He progressed through the ranks at Warwick to become an Associate Professor before leaving in 2015 to join the Department of Pharmacology at Cambridge, where he is also a Fellow of St John’s College. In 2020, he was promoted to a Readership/Professor in Receptor Pharmacology and was elected a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society. His research group uses a combination of pharmacological investigations and mathematical modeling to study factors that control agonist bias at GPCRs. These investigations have enabled him to foster strong collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry (GSK, Takada, and Firmenich) which have recently been enhanced through him being awarded a Royal Society Industry Fellowship to collaborate with AstraZeneca . Dr. Graham Ladds on the web Twitter ResearchGate LinkedIn Google Scholar PubMed Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Debbie Hay About this episode Dr. Debbie Hay is presently a professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Otago after spending 18 years at the University of Auckland. Her work is primarily focused on class B GPCRs and their interactions with RAMPs. Debbie obtained a Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology from Imperial College London in the UK. She has gained experience from working in academia and at GSK as an industrial trainee. Join me and learn more about Debbie’s career and what she learned through her experiences as a scientist. Dr. Debbie Hay on the web LinkedIn Wikipedia University of Otago University of Auckland Google Scholar Pubmed Research Gate Twitter Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Brian Arey About this episode Brian Arey is Senior Director of Mechanistic Pharmacology within Leads Discovery and Optimization at Bristol-Myers Squibb Co . in Lawrenceville, NJ. He obtained both his MS and Ph.D. in Neuroendocrine Physiology at Florida State University before completing his postdoctoral training at Northwestern University. He then moved to work in the pharmaceutical industry where he has held positions of increasing responsibility. He currently leads a team that provides a mechanistic understanding of small molecule drug candidates across the entire portfolio of BMS. Brian has contributed to the discovery or development of 5 marketed drugs through his work spanning molecular, biochemical, cellular, and in vivo assessment of drug candidates in many different physiological systems. Dr. Arey’s laboratory discovered the first described synthetic agonists and antagonists of the FSHR and has been an early champion of signaling bias as a physiological mechanism of gonadotropin action. He continues to pioneer in drug discovery studying GPCRs and other target classes. His recently published book on signaling bias, Biased Signaling in Physiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics is available on Amazon . I sat down with Brian to chat about GPCRs, working in the industry, and being a leader. This is part 1 of our conversation. Dr. Brian Arey on the web LinkedIn ResearchGate Pubmed Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Richard Premont About Dr. Richard Premont "Dr. Premont obtained his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology in 1985, and M.Ph . and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology) at Mount Sinai School of Medicine (City University of New York) in 1990 and 1992, working with Ravi Iyengar on regulation/desensitization of the liver glucagon receptor and glucagon-stimulated adenylyl cyclase system. In 1992, he won a Helen Hay Whitney Foundation fellowship to support his post-doctoral work with Robert Lefkowitz and Marc Caron at Duke University. His initial project to identify and clone taste receptors was unsuccessful, but led to the identification of GRK5 and continued focus on GRKs (particularly GRKs 4,5,6) and arrestins as GPCR regulators and as mediators of distinct signaling pathways through partners including GIT1. In 1999, obtained an independent faculty position at Duke in Gastroenterology, where he remained until 2018 studying GPCRs and their signaling pathways in the liver and in liver disease. In 2018, he moved to Harrington Discovery Institute and Case Western Reserve University, where he studies GPCR regulation by S-nitrosylation. My research focus is on understanding how distinct cellular signaling pathways interact and are coordinated to produce integrated physiological responses, and how dysregulation of this coordination results in pathophysiology. For this, we have worked in three main areas: the regulation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling particularly by the G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) – beta-arrestin system, the coordination of heterotrimeric G protein, small GTP-binding protein and protein kinase pathways by GIT/PIX scaffolding complexes during cellular signaling, and characterizing the role of protein S-nitrosylation as a signaling post-translational modification in mediating and regulating cellular signaling pathways, particularly in conjunction with better characterized signaling systems. In our work, we utilize methods including structural biology and proteomics, molecular biology and biochemical enzymology, primary and model cell culture, and transgenic, knockout, knock-in and conditional models of mouse physiology and behavior." Dr. Richard Premont on the web Google Scholar LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Ross Cheloha About this episode Dr. Ross Cheloha is an Investigator at the National Institutes of Health in the Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry in Bethesda, MD, where he started in October 2020. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT and Harvard Med School in the lab of Hidde Ploegh , where he developed new applications of single-domain antibodies (nanobodies). He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the lab of Sam Gellman on the study of analogs of the GPCR peptide ligand parathyroid hormone. Work in his independent laboratory is focused on developing new pharmacological tools via chemistry and protein engineering to interrogate GPCR signaling. Ross and I chatted about his work and transition to an independent investigator; join me to learn more about class B GPCRs and Dr. Cheloha’s work. Dr. Ross Cheloha on the web NIDDK Cheloha Lab Google Scholar LinkedIn Twitter ResearchGate Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Kari Johnson About this episode Dr. Kari Johnson is currently an assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. She is a neuropharmacologist with an interest in the long-term effects of alcohol abuse on neural circuits. Kari completed her Ph.D. in Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University before continuing her training as a postdoctoral fellow at the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. All through her career, the recurring theme in Kari’s work has been GPCRs and more specifically Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. Join me and learn more about how Kari studies GPCRs in basal ganglia circuits following chronic alcohol exposure in mice. Dr. Kari Johnson on the web LinkedIn Google Scholar Research Gate USU Twitter Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Elva Zhao About this episode Elva is currently a research fellow at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Elva moved to Canada where she obtained her Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario, working on the regulation of G proteins signaling by accessory proteins, such as RGS proteins and GPSM proteins. After her Ph.D., she moved to Australia and continues working on GPCRs. Her current research focuses on class B GPCRs and understanding how GPCR signaling and function is mediated by various ligands, binding partners, and intracellular machinery. In her spare time, Elva likes to run in the mountains, play with Tilly (a 9-year old retired greyhound), collecting mini shoes, and hang out with friends. Join me to learn more about Elva, class B GPCRs, and Tilly. Dr. Elva Zhao on the web LinkedIn Monash University Pubmed Twitter Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Biotech founder Ajay Yekkirala shares how AI, GPCRs, and bold questions are driving next-gen pain therapeutics and drug discovery innovation. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) From Curiosity to Breakthrough: Ajay Yekkirala on GPCR Innovation What if the key to safer, more effective drugs lies in asking the right questions — and daring to challenge what’s “not possible”? In this episode, Dr. Ajay Yekkirala shares the pivotal moments that transformed him from a curious PhD student into a GPCR drug developer and entrepreneur. Dr. Ajay Yekkirala is a GPCR pharmacologist, biotech entrepreneur, and co-founder of Superluminal Medicines, a company using machine learning to unlock new GPCR-targeted therapies. In this wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on the mentors, failures, and bold questions that shaped his journey from academia to AI-powered drug discovery. Why This Matters Translating basic GPCR science into actual medicines is broken. Ajay unpacks why—and what it takes to fix it. AI is reshaping how we understand protein dynamics , but only when driven by deep biological questions. Young scientists are hungry for alternate career paths. This episode is a playbook for thinking bigger. Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. Ajay reveals how humility, curiosity, and collaboration fuel the future of drug discovery. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Ajay’s failed MD/PhD application rerouted his path toward a breakthrough GPCR research career The inside story behind founding Blue Therapeutics and targeting supraspinal pain pathway What it means to “teach AI protein dynamics,” and how Superluminal is using it to predict signaling bias The entrepreneurial lessons no one tells postdocs: how to pitch, fail, and build a team Why asking “what if it can be done?” is the heart of scientific innovation Who Should Listen PhD students and postdocs exploring biotech careers GPCR scientists interested in translational innovation Biotech investors and strategic leaders seeking new drug development models Anyone curious about where AI meets molecular pharmacology About Ajay Yekkirala Dr. Ajay Yekkirala is a molecular pharmacologist, biotech founder, and scientist whose career has been defined by bold questions and even bolder moves. Originally on track to pursue an MD/PhD, a rejection letter pivoted him into a PhD program at the University of Iowa, where he studied opioid pharmacology under the legendary Dr. Philip Portoghese. That “failure” became a launchpad: Ajay later joined the lab of Dr. Clifford Woolf at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he deepened his understanding of pain biology and began dreaming bigger. Driven by the opioid crisis and the lack of non-addictive pain treatments, Ajay co-founded Blue Therapeutics, a biotech startup focused on targeting supraspinal GPCRs for chronic pain. But he didn’t stop there. Seeing the limits of traditional drug discovery, he later co-founded Superluminal Medicines, a company using machine learning to explore GPCR structure-function relationships and predict biased signaling with precision. Ajay’s work sits at the intersection of GPCR biology, AI, and translational medicine. He’s a strong advocate for cross-disciplinary thinking, mentoring young scientists, and building companies that solve real, unmet needs in human health. His story is one of relentless curiosity, humility in the face of complexity, and an unshakable belief in science’s power to do better. Ajay Yekkirala on the web Superluminal Medicines LinkedIn Tune in now to hear how asking “what if?” led Ajay Yekkirala to reshape the future of GPCR-targeted medicine. Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Chloe Hicks About Chloe Hicks Chloe Hicks will graduate from Duke University this spring with a B.S degree in Biology with a concentration in Pharmacology. She has been an undergraduate student member in the Rajagopal Lab since January 2021 and has contributed to multiple projects exploring the underlying mechanisms of biased signaling at chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3). These previous endeavors involved exploring the effect of subcellular location on the signaling profile of CXCR3’s three endogenous biased ligands, elucidating the role of site-specific receptor phosphorylation in the differential signaling outputs of biased agonists, and demonstrating the ligand specificity behind GRK recruitment to endosomes upon receptor internalization. She is currently working on her senior thesis which involves identifying the non-canonical signaling effectors involved in the activation of Atypical Chemokine Receptor 3 (ACKR3), a receptor which does not couple to G protein and has been shown to maintain its activation in the absence of β-arrestin. Chloe Hicks on the web ORCID LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

Can models predict drug outcomes? Jens Carlsson shares how GPCR modeling is moving from explanation to real prediction in drug discovery. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Model. Predict. Discover. with Dr. Jens Carlsson What if models didn’t just explain the past — but could truly predict what comes next? In this episode, Dr. Jens Carlsson reveals how computational modeling is evolving from explanation to real prediction—and how that shift accelerates real-world discovery. Dr. Jens Carlsson, Professor of Computational Biochemistry at Uppsala University, joins Dr. Yamina Berchiche to share his unconventional journey from aspiring engineer to GPCR modeler. With a deep focus on structure-based drug design, Jens discusses how his lab bridges simulation and experiment—and why understanding the limits of prediction is just as critical as the predictions themselves. From virtual screening of billions of molecules to leveraging AlphaFold for structure prediction, Jens shares the cutting-edge tools his lab uses—and the collaborative mindset required to turn models into testable hypotheses. Along the way, he reflects on key career moments, the role of mentorship, and how curiosity continues to drive his work across both academic and industry settings. Why This Matters Computational models are moving beyond interpretation into real-world prediction of ligand-receptor interactions. Bridging computation, chemistry, and pharmacology is key to speeding up drug discovery. AI and machine learning are opening new doors—but only if scientists know their tools’ limits. What You’ll Learn Why Jens Carlsson believes modeling should predict , not just explain How his team uses structure-based modeling to identify novel GPCR ligands The value of failure—and how it shaped his path as a scientist Why collaborations between modelers and experimentalists are more vital than ever How AlphaFold is shaking up structural biology—and where it still falls short Advice for junior scientists: what really matters when building a research career Who Should Listen GPCR scientists and pharmacologists Computational chemists and structural biologists Early-career researchers exploring drug discovery Biotech leaders and R&D strategists Anyone interested in predictive modeling, AI in biology, or structure-function relationships About Jens Carlsson Jens Carlsson is a Professor of Computational Biochemistry at Uppsala University, where his research group uses structure-based modeling to investigate GPCRs. His team focuses on understanding how ligands modulate receptor function and how those insights can drive drug discovery. By combining molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and machine learning, Jens works at the intersection of computation and pharmacology, often in close collaboration with experimental labs. Trained initially as a biotechnology engineer, Jens discovered his true calling during an internship where his modeling skills stood out, mainly because his bench skills didn’t. That moment launched a career built around using computational tools to answer big biological questions. His journey took him from Sweden to Scripps Research and UCSF, where he was first introduced to GPCRs and mentored by pioneers like Brian Shoichet and Ken Jacobson. Jens is passionate about prediction over explanation: building models that can guide experiments, not just interpret them. Outside academia, he advises companies through a consulting arm focused on ligand design strategy. With a reputation for collaborative science, Jens is a strong advocate for bringing together chemists, modelers, and biologists to accelerate discovery and train the next generation of GPCR researchers. Jens Carlsson on the web Carlsson Group Uppsala University LinkedIn Hit play now to hear how prediction is reshaping GPCR science, and what that means for the future of drug discovery. Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Robert J. Lefkowitz About this episode It was December 14th, 2020, 1:50 pm, when I turned on my laptop and signed into Zoom for my chat with Bob. Bob, who, you might ask? Well, it’s the one and only Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D., 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which he shared with Dr. Brian Kobilka . Bob doesn’t really need an introduction since his reputation precedes him. Before we pressed record, I asked if I could call him Bob, and he answered that only his mom used to call him Robert, especially when she was upset with him. I then pressed record, and we chatted for almost 2h about Bob’s career, discoveries, difficulties (yes, he’s had some too), Nobel week, and his memoir that he just published in collaboration with Dr. Randy Hall. Bob is James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Pathology at the Duke University Medical Center. He began his career in the late 1960s and has been an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since 1976. His legacy lies in the numerous discoveries he and his team made in the GPCR field and in all those who trained in his laboratory and went on to pursue stellar scientific careers. I very much enjoyed chatting with Bob, and I hope you’ll enjoy learning more about him as well. Dr. Robert J. Lefkowitz on the web A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm: The Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures of an Accidental Scientist Duke University Wikipedia Nobel Prize HHMI Lefkowitz Lab Google Scholar Pubmed Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< 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 Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

GPCR scientist Ben Clements shares how positive allosteric modulators could transform opioid therapy by boosting efficacy and reducing side effects. << Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) When to Walk, When to Run: Lessons from the GPCR Trenches with Dr. Ben Clements 1. The Power of Inclusion in the GPCR Field This episode kicks off with a celebration of early-career scientists. Host Dr. Yamina Berchiche emphasizes the importance of diverse voices in the GPCR community: “It’s been a very difficult path to get more early-career scientists on the podcast. But it’s important to make your voice heard.” Benjamin Clements , a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, joins the conversation as a rising voice in GPCR pharmacology. His journey highlights the transition from general drug development to a deep dive into G protein-coupled receptors. 2. From Aspirations to Application: Ben’s Path into Science Ben shares his winding yet deliberate entry into science. Initially driven by a general passion for biology and a childhood dream of being an astronaut, he began with intestinal choline transport research at UNC. The realization that basic science could impact real patients was transformative. “It’s not just raw science — this can help someone at the end of the day.” – Ben Clements His pivot into neuroscience and pharmacology during grad school at the University of Minnesota laid the groundwork for his current work in GPCR pharmacology. 3. GPCRs and the Opioid Crisis: A New Pharmacological Frontier Now at the University of Michigan, Ben focuses on positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) targeting opioid receptors. The goal: maximize analgesia while minimizing side effects . “We’re enhancing the powerful pain-relieving effects of opioids while limiting respiratory depression, constipation, and abuse liability.” He is particularly excited by the novel application of PAMs in chronic and neuropathic pain models , including the neuroma model , which is typically opioid-insensitive. 4. Allosteric Modulation: The New Frontier of GPCR Drug Discovery Ben reflects on the emerging potential of allosteric modulation in GPCRs — a field that has lagged behind ion channels in clinical applications. “Allosteric modulation in GPCRs is so novel and so exciting. There’s so much availability, so much we don’t know yet.” By working with distinct chemical scaffolds like thiazolidines and xanthinediones, Ben is helping define how structurally different PAMs may act on similar receptor sites. 5. Scientific Rigor: The Value of ‘Old School’ Pharmacology Despite the availability of modern tools, Ben stresses the enduring value of classical methods like GTPγS assays , radioligand binding , and basic PK/PD models . “It doesn’t matter how many cool, fun tools you have. If you don’t understand the math that underlies an allosteric modulator, you won’t understand what’s happening.” This mindset keeps his science grounded, reproducible, and rooted in fundamentals. 6. Mentorship, Team Culture, and the Joy of Science Science is serious work, but Ben believes fun and collaboration fuel great outcomes. At Michigan, his lab balances rigor with light-hearted engagement — like daily squirrel trivia on their whiteboard. “Science is fun. We produce great data, but we also joke around. That’s how we work best.” Strong mentorship, open communication, and peer learning — especially from undergraduate trainees — shape his development as both a scientist and future educator. 7. Translating Discovery into Therapy: Bench to Bedside Vision Ben’s work seeks to merge in vitro mechanistic data with in vivo efficacy , guiding medicinal chemists toward creating druggable PAMs . “The goal is to smash all the amazing biology together and make a drug.” Using site-directed mutagenesis and pharmacological synergy assays , his team aims to understand how and where these compounds interact with the receptor, paving the way for structure-based drug design . 8. Structural Biology Roadblocks: The Cryo-EM Challenge One bottleneck in Ben’s work is visualizing binding sites of PAMs via cryo-EM , due to low compound potency and membrane-embedded binding pockets. “Our compounds don’t bind well enough to be seen clearly. That’s a real challenge with allosterics.” Still, by collaborating with structural biology teams and combining cryo-EM with NMR , his lab is narrowing down potential binding regions. 9. Lessons in Confidence, Collaboration, and Aha Moments From asserting himself as an undergrad to mastering unique techniques in grad school, Ben has accumulated key “aha” moments that shaped his confidence: Standing up to big names when safety was compromised. Realizing his technical skills were indispensable to the team. Discovering breakthrough results in neuroma pain models via a spontaneous collaboration. “We found something incredible — a tenfold shift in the methadone dose-response with our PAM.” 10. Advice for Junior Scientists: Read, Rest, Run Ben closes with wisdom for early-career researchers: “Academia is about knowing when to walk and when to run.” – Advice from Kelsey Flepsen He advocates: Reading one paper a day. Taking care of yourself when possible. Pushing hard when deadlines or breakthroughs demand it. “Your brain’s not a machine. Let it rest. That’s when the best ideas come — in the shower or on a walk.” Summary made with AI ________ Key Takeaway Episode 166 with Ben Clements is a deep dive into the pharmacological potential of GPCRs , the power of mentorship, and the mindset required to thrive in science. With clarity, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit, Ben reminds us that impactful science isn’t just about technology — it’s about people, persistence, and timing. “Science is all about knowing when to walk and knowing when to run.” Keyword Cloud GPCR research community , Dr. GPCR ecosystem , GPCR online course , GPCR scientist network , GPCR drug discovery , GPCR training program , G protein-coupled receptors , GPCR podcast , GPCR webinar series , GPCR data platform Summary created by AI About Ben Clements Dr. Ben M Clements is a behavioral pharmacologist who uses in vitro and in vivo models to discover and characterize novel treatments for chronic pain and opioid use disorder. He received his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Minnesota in 2022, studying the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of NMDA receptor antagonists. At the University of Michigan, Ben focuses on determining the mechanisms of action of a series of positive allosteric modulators of the mu-opioid receptor. This project involves molecular pharmacology in cell models to determine binding sites and mechanisms of allostery, as well as efficacy studies in mouse and rat models of acute and chronic pain. Dr. Clements' work is primarily focused on translational developments of small molecule therapeutics, and intends to apply these ideas to an independent academic laboratory. In addition, he plans to continue studying how neuromodulators, both exogenous and endogenous, can influence cellular activity, physiological behaviors, and human health. Ben Clements on the web University of Michigan X Google Scholar LinkedIn Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Randy Hall About Dr. Randy Hall Randy Hall, Ph.D., is a Professor of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology in the Emory University School of Medicine. Randy received his Bachelor's degree in 1990 from the University of New Hampshire and attended graduate school at the University of California at Irvine, studying the regulation of ionotropic glutamate receptors under the direction of Gary Lynch. After obtaining his Ph.D. in 1994, Randy moved to the Vollum Institute in Portland, Oregon, to do a post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Thomas Soderling studying glutamate receptor trafficking and phosphorylation. In 1996, Randy continued his post-doctoral training at Duke University, where he studied the regulation of adrenergic receptors in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Robert Lefkowitz . Randy then joined the faculty at the Emory University School of Medicine in 1999. Over the past two decades, his lab has published numerous groundbreaking findings shedding light on the signaling and regulation of GPCRs from the adrenergic, purinergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and adhesion sub-families. Most recently, his lab has made a number of seminal contributions to understanding the signaling, regulation and in vivo actions of the neuroprotective receptors GPR37 & GPR37L1 as well as the adhesion GPCRs BAI1, BAI2, and GPR56. Randy’s lab has a special interest in studying disease-associated mutations to human GPCRs that perturb receptor signaling and/or trafficking. Randy has received a number of research prizes, including the PhRMA New Investigator Award, the Distinguished Young Scholar in Medical Research Award from the W.M. Keck Foundation, and the John J. Abel Award from ASPET . In 2014, he was named a Fellow of the AAAS. In 2021, he co-authored the critically-acclaimed memoir of his mentor Bob Lefkowitz, entitled “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm: The Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures of an Accidental Scientist”. Join me to learn more about Randy’s work, hear his insights on the GPCR field, and also hear the story of how he came to co-author the memoir of his legendary mentor. Dr. Randy Hall on the web Hall Lab LinkedIn Google Scholar ResearchGate Dr. Lefkowitz Memoir. Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) 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 Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Christel Menet About Dr. Christel Menet "I did my Ph.D. in Manchester UK with Prof Jonathan Clayden in organic chemistry. I then started my career at Evotec before moving to Domain Therapeutics (called Faust pharmaceutical at the time). After 2 years, I joined Galapagos where I spent almost 11 years and became head of medicinal chemistry. 6 years ago I decided to take on a new challenge by taking the position of CSO at Confo Therapeutics . I was the 6th employee and today we are more than 60 :) I have fun every day, and I love working with GPCRs. they are such great targets." Dr. Christel Menet on the web Hyphen Projects GPCRS Drug Discovery Confo Therapeutics LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Richard Premont About Dr. Richard Premont "Dr. Premont obtained his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology in 1985, and M.Ph . and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology) at Mount Sinai School of Medicine (City University of New York) in 1990 and 1992, working with Ravi Iyengar on regulation/desensitization of the liver glucagon receptor and glucagon-stimulated adenylyl cyclase system. In 1992, he won a Helen Hay Whitney Foundation fellowship to support his post-doctoral work with Robert Lefkowitz and Marc Caron at Duke University. His initial project to identify and clone taste receptors was unsuccessful, but led to the identification of GRK5 and continued focus on GRKs (particularly GRKs 4,5,6) and arrestins as GPCR regulators and as mediators of distinct signaling pathways through partners including GIT1. In 1999, obtained an independent faculty position at Duke in Gastroenterology, where he remained until 2018 studying GPCRs and their signaling pathways in the liver and in liver disease. In 2018, he moved to Harrington Discovery Institute and Case Western Reserve University, where he studies GPCR regulation by S-nitrosylation. My research focus is on understanding how distinct cellular signaling pathways interact and are coordinated to produce integrated physiological responses, and how dysregulation of this coordination results in pathophysiology. For this, we have worked in three main areas: the regulation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling particularly by the G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) – beta-arrestin system, the coordination of heterotrimeric G protein, small GTP-binding protein and protein kinase pathways by GIT/PIX scaffolding complexes during cellular signaling, and characterizing the role of protein S-nitrosylation as a signaling post-translational modification in mediating and regulating cellular signaling pathways, particularly in conjunction with better characterized signaling systems. In our work, we utilize methods including structural biology and proteomics, molecular biology and biochemical enzymology, primary and model cell culture, and transgenic, knockout, knock-in and conditional models of mouse physiology and behavior." Dr. Richard Premont on the web Google Scholar LinkedIn Dr. GPCR Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Silvia Sposini About Dr. Silvia Sposini " I'm originally from Rome, Italy, where I studied Biological Sciences as a BSc student. I moved to London as a short experience (3 months) during my MSc but I ended up staying for a full year and and a PhD! During my time in London I investigated regulatory mechanisms of GPCR action, namely dimerization and membrane trafficking, in Dr Aylin Hanyaloglu 's lab at Imperial College London. In 2018 I got married and moved to France, to join the Interdisciplinary Institute for Neurosciences in Bordeaux. Still working on GPCR trafficking but this time in neurons. In 2021 I became mum of a gorgeous baby girl, Elena. I am currently funded by a postdoctoral fellowship from Wellcome Trust, working on a collaborative project (Dr Hanyaloglu's lab at ICL + Dr Perrais' lab at IINS) focused on understanding the interplay between GPCR signalling and trafficking in neurons using microscopy and proteomics based techniques. " Dr. Silvia Sposini on the web Bordeaux Neurocampus LinkedIn ResearchGate X (Twitter) Dr. GPCR Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Alexander S. Hauser About Dr. Alexander S. Hauser Alexander is currently a postdoc as a member of the personalized medicine cluster in Copenhagen and at the Institute of Biological Psychiatry in Roskilde working with the UK Biobank and other large-scale population cohorts. Alexander has a big interest in the integration of large biomedical data in genomics, structural biology, pharmacology, and pharmacoepidemiology with innovative computational methods to gain novel insights into receptor biology. During his Ph.D. with David Gloriam at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology in Copenhagen, he worked on novel analytical methods to identify human signaling systems and thereby discovered endogenous peptides activating several orphan receptors. Alexander had a research sabbatical with Madan Babu at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, where he was working on the impact of genetic variations on drug response. He received the “HC Ørsted Research talent prize” and “Bayer Pharmaceuticals Ph.D. Award” for his work on GPCRs. Dr. Alexander S. Hauser on the web Twitter ResearchGate University of Copenhagen LinkedIn Google Scholar Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Masha Niv About this episode Dr. Niv is currently an associate professor and vice dean for research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Niv lab is also part of the Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research. Masha earned her Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, followed by a direct Ph.D. at the Institute of Chemistry, at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. Dr. Niv trained as a postdoctoral fellow at Weill Cornell Medical College. Her work focuses on both sweet and bitter taste receptor GPCRs and her lab established the BitterDB . Dr. Masha Niv on the web Niv Lab LinkedIn Twitter Pubmed Google Scholar Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Brian Arey About this episode Brian Arey is Senior Director of Mechanistic Pharmacology within Leads Discovery and Optimization at Bristol-Myers Squibb Co . in Lawrenceville, NJ. He obtained both his MS and Ph.D. in Neuroendocrine Physiology at Florida State University before completing his postdoctoral training at Northwestern University. He then moved to work in the pharmaceutical industry where he has held positions of increasing responsibility. He currently leads a team that provides a mechanistic understanding of small molecule drug candidates across the entire portfolio of BMS. Brian has contributed to the discovery or development of 5 marketed drugs through his work spanning molecular, biochemical, cellular, and in vivo assessment of drug candidates in many different physiological systems. Dr. Arey’s laboratory discovered the first described synthetic agonists and antagonists of the FSHR and has been an early champion of signaling bias as a physiological mechanism of gonadotropin action. He continues to pioneer in drug discovery studying GPCRs and other target classes. His recently published book on signaling bias, Biased Signaling in Physiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics is available on Amazon . I sat down with Brian to chat about GPCRs, working in the industry, and being a leader. This is part 1 of our conversation. Dr. Brian Arey on the web LinkedIn ResearchGate Pubmed Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Graciela Pineyro About this episode: Dr. Graciela Pineyro is a professor of pharmacology at the department of pharmacology and physiology of the University of Montreal. She has done extensive work on the molecular pharmacology of opioid receptors and is currently focusing on the pharmacology of cannabinoids in the context of pain. We chatted about how the current pandemic has affected her personally and professionally. Dr. Graciela Pineyro on the web Dr. Graciela Pineyro on LinkedIn Dr. Graciela Pineyro - University of Montreal Dr. Graciela Pineyro - CHU Ste-Justine Research Centre Pineyro Lab Publications on Google Scholar Pineyro Lab on Pubmed Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>

<< Back to podcast list Strategic Partner(s) Dr. Terry Hébert About this episode Dr. Terry Hébert wanted to be a microbiologist. Instead, he ended up getting interested in membrane protein as he followed the biology of a bacterial toxin that affects a mammalian ion channel. Today he and his team are working on understanding receptor signaling in specialized cellular environments to gain a better grasp of receptor function in pathophysiological settings with a special interest in the cardiovascular system. His favorite GPCR is the angiotensin 1 receptor, especially for its ability to activate a large variety of signaling pathways. Terry is also very active on social media. With over 2000 followers on Facebook and Twitter, he shares the latest available information on GPCR research daily. Dr. Terry Hébert on the web Institute of Health Sciences Education Hébert Lab LinkedIn Facebook GPCR Consortium PubMed Dr. GPCR Ecosystem Enjoying the Dr. GPCR Podcast? Leave a Review. Leave a quick review to help more scientists find the show—and help us keep improving every episode. It takes <60 seconds and makes a big difference. ★ Review on Apple Podcasts ★ Rate on Spotify ✉️ Send feedback to the team Recent Podcast Articles Asking Better Questions in Science: A Practical Guide for Emerging Researchers When the Islet Lit Up: Advancing GPCR Imaging in Native Tissue How Collaboration Sparked a GPCR Imaging Breakthrough in Chemical Biology Thanks for listening to this podcast episode Follow us on your favorite Podcast Player << Previous Podcast Episode Next Podcast Episode >>