Overview
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Last Updated: 27 October 2020
My laboratory uses genetically-modified mice to study the roles that certain genes and gene products play in the presentation of abnormal neuroendocrine, neurological, and psychiatric responses. Traditionally, the identification of neuroendocrine dysfunction has involved biochemical analyses of hormonal responses, those for neurological disorders have relied upon behavioral and postmortem analyses, and those for psychiatric conditions have depended upon phenomenology. The use of genetic technologies has allowed specific genes in selected cells and in neural pathways to be related to certain molecular, biochemical, cellular, physiological, and behavioral dysfunctions. As the Director of the Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility at Duke University (http://sites.duke.edu/mousebehavioralcore/), we have phenotyped many different lines of inbred and mutant mice for my own work as well as for investigators at Duke and at other research institutions. As a consequence, we have helped to develop many different mouse genetic models of neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric illness. We are working also with academic medicinal chemists and/or certain pharmacological/biotechnological companies to identify novel compounds that will ameliorate abnormal responses in various mutant mouse models. Some of these preclinical studies have formed a basis for clinical trials in humans.
Last Updated: 27 October 2020
My laboratory uses genetically-modified mice to study the roles that certain genes and gene products play in the presentation of abnormal neuroendocrine, neurological, and psychiatric responses. Traditionally, the identification of neuroendocrine dysfunction has involved biochemical analyses of hormonal responses, those for neurological disorders have relied upon behavioral and postmortem analyses, and those for psychiatric conditions have depended upon phenomenology. The use of genetic technologies has allowed specific genes in selected cells and in neural pathways to be related to certain molecular, biochemical, cellular, physiological, and behavioral dysfunctions. As the Director of the Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility at Duke University (http://sites.duke.edu/mousebehavioralcore/), we have phenotyped many different lines of inbred and mutant mice for my own work as well as for investigators at Duke and at other research institutions. As a consequence, we have helped to develop many different mouse genetic models of neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric illness. We are working also with academic medicinal chemists and/or certain pharmacological/biotechnological companies to identify novel compounds that will ameliorate abnormal responses in various mutant mouse models. Some of these preclinical studies have formed a basis for clinical trials in humans.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
·
2024 - Present
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Associate Professor in Neurobiology
·
2007 - Present
Neurobiology,
Basic Science Departments
Assistant Research Professor in Cell Biology
·
2009 - Present
Cell Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
·
2012 - Present
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Arrestin-biased allosteric modulator of neurotensin receptor 1 alleviates acute and chronic pain.
Journal Article Cell · May 15, 2025 G-protein-biased agonists have been shown to enhance opioid analgesia by circumventing β-arrestin-2 (βarr2) signaling. We previously reported that SBI-553, a neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1)-positive allosteric modulator biased toward βarr2 signaling, attenu ... Full text Link to item CiteTwo doses of Qβ virus like particle vaccines elicit protective antibodies against heroin and fentanyl.
Journal Article NPJ Vaccines · March 28, 2025 Opioid overdoses and opioid use disorder (OUD) are major public health concerns. Current treatment approaches for OUD have failed to slow the growth of the opioid crisis. Opioid vaccines have shown pre-clinical success in targeting multiple different opioi ... Full text Link to item CiteCombination of Haloperidol With UNC9994, β-arrestin-Biased Analog of Aripiprazole, Ameliorates Schizophrenia-Related Phenotypes Induced by NMDAR Deficit in Mice.
Journal Article Int J Neuropsychopharmacol · December 1, 2024 BACKGROUND: Glutamatergic system dysfunction contributes to a full spectrum of schizophrenia-like symptoms, including the cognitive and negative symptoms that are resistant to treatment with antipsychotic drugs (APDs). Aripiprazole, an atypical APD, acts a ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Impact of hypertension and aging on postoperative delirium
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Duke-NCCU Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Training Program in Child Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Conditions Program (DN-IPT)
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029IL-6 Trans-signaling increases vulnerability to Postoperative Cognitive Decline in Aging and Alzheimers Disease
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by University of California - San Francisco · 2024 - 2029View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ·
1983
Ph.D.