Winter 2020 Remote Research

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family is a main target of therapeutics and has many important physiological functions. During this past winter break, I worked with Dr. Seungkirl Ahn to better understand the experimental questions surrounding allosteric modulators as potential therapeutics for the beta2-adrenergic receptor, a type of GPCR. The literature review focused on the exciting discoveries of a positive allosteric modulator and a negative allosteric modulator for the beta2-adrenergic receptor. 

My analysis of experimental methods and published data will prepare me to conduct my Independent Study project for Spring 2021. I am grateful for the continued support of Dr. Ahn and Dr. Robert Lefkowitz in my research endeavors. With the URS Winter IDEA Grant, I am excited to work with Angus Li, a research technician in the Lefkowitz Laboratory, to profile potential allosteric compounds and their effects on the beta2-adrenergic receptor complexed together with transducers.