Research

Completion of the Human Genome Project has led to the identification of more than 25,000 genes. Deciphering the protein products encoded by these genes and the networks formed by these gene products will be a monumental task. Miscommunication between proteins in a network can lead to devastating diseases. The discovery of small molecular probes that interact with these proteins can be used as both diagnostic and therapeutic entities. An example of this is seen with the piperazine molecule in Figure 1 that displays high affinity for sigma-1 receptors.

1-Benzofuran-2-ylmethyl-4-(4-methoxy-benzyl)piperazine with electrostatic potential represented as a 3D isosurface. Arylalkyl 4-benzyl piperazines represent an exciting scaffold for the development of innovative sigma receptor molecules for treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders

Our research covers an exciting and diverse range of fields including drug discovery and development, medicinal chemistry, radiochemistry and neuropharmacology. Combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput screening will enable the accelerated discovery of new and innovative drug molecules that aid the better understanding and treatment of diseases of the brain. Our group is proud to be at the forefront of this science, which is emerging as the preferred method for the study of brain regions and neural pathways affected in substance abuse, neurodegenerative and psychotic disorders as well as the fundamental understanding of receptor-ligand interactions.