Understanding Novel Drug Binding Pockets At G Protein-coupled Receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,538.00
Summary
Cell-surface proteins exhibit multiple secondary binding sites for which only synthetic drugs have been identified so far. My hypothesis is that these secondary binding sites are common to most proteins because they are primarily targeted by largely yet unidentified endogenously released molecules that can modify the biology of these proteins.
Delta-containing GABA-A Receptors As Targets For Neuroprotection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$953,825.00
Summary
After stroke, the neurotransmitter, GABA spills onto sites located away from the synapse. This spillover is hypothesised to have a protective role in limiting cell death. However the timeframe for this to occur is too long for observing significant beneficial effects after stroke. Therefore, stimulating this naturally occurring protective mechanism early using pharmaceutical interventions that target a specific type of GABAA receptor is an unexplored strategy to minimize cell death after stroke.
?4-containing GABA-A Receptors As Targets For ?-hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,572.00
Summary
?-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is an elusive substance. On one hand, it is a prescribed drug to treat narcolepsy, and ameliorate alcohol withdrawal. On the other hand, GHB is the club drug “Fantasy” or “Liquid Ecstasy”, taken by many Australians for its social, sexual and euphoric effects. This proposal will identify GHB targets and provide insight to its mechanism of action.