Find Academic Supervisors

• Acid-Sensing Ion Channels
• Neuropharmacology
• Membrane Protein Dynamics
• +3 more

Stephanie Heusser serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on the structural and functional characterization of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), with particular emphasis on their role in neurological disorders and potential as therapeutic targets. Based at Universitetsparken 2 in Copenhagen, she maintains an active research program integrating biophysical, pharmacological, and chemical biology approaches. Her primary research interests center on acid-sensing ion channel mechanisms , including: Conformational dynamics during activation and desensitization Regulation by transporter proteins and peptide modulators Structural basis of pH sensing and ion selectivity Therapeutic targeting for pain, stroke, and neurodegenerative conditions Protein engineering approaches to study channel function Recent publications reveal a strong focus on ASIC structure-function relationships, with significant contributions to understanding channel-transporter crosstalk and venom peptide inhibition mechanisms. Dr. Heusser's work demonstrates substantial scholarly impact, with her 2021 review article in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences accumulating 35 citation indexes and 49 Mendeley readers, while being referenced in 15 X (Twitter) discussions and 1 Wikipedia page. Her research shows consistent high-impact output in premier journals including Nature Communications , eLife , and Cell Chemical Biology , with collaborative networks spanning multiple international institutions. Her laboratory utilizes advanced techniques including: Protein semisynthesis for site-specific modifications Electrophysiological characterization of channel function Structural biology approaches to map conformational changes Pharmacological profiling of channel modulators Current work explores channel-transporter crosstalk mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting ASIC-mediated pathologies.

Ünal CoskunView profile

Professor

• Membrane Biochemistry
• Cell Signaling
• Lipid-Protein Interactions
• +5 more

Ünal Coskun serves as W3 Full Professor and Director of the Center of Membrane Biochemistry and Lipid Research at Dresden University of Technology's Medical Faculty. He holds dual prestigious appointments as Max Planck Fellow (2023–present) and MPI-CBG Fellow (2022–present), reflecting his leadership at the intersection of membrane biology and disease mechanisms. His academic foundation includes: Biology studies at University of Osnabrück (1995–2001) PhD in Biophysics from Saarland University (2001–2005) Postdoctoral training at MPI-CBG (2005–2012) Prof. Coskun's research pioneers the membrane lipid perspective in cell signaling, investigating how specific lipids (e.g., GM3 ganglioside, phosphoinositides) allosterically regulate receptors like EGFR and insulin receptor. His lab employs interdisciplinary approaches spanning structural biology, synthetic membrane systems, and diabetes pathophysiology, revealing fundamental principles of lipid-protein coevolution. Current work focuses on how β-cell membrane lipid dynamics modulate insulin sensitivity—a paradigm-shifting angle for diabetes research. His publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions, with recent work (2015–2018) establishing structural mechanisms for lipid-mediated receptor regulation. The lab's signature achievement is the GM3-EGFR allosteric inhibition model, which redefined understanding of membrane lipid functionality beyond passive barrier roles. Key recognitions include: Max Planck Fellow (2023–present) MPI-CBG Fellow (2022–present) As Center Director, Prof. Coskun supervises doctoral researchers through TU Dresden's Medical Faculty and DIGS-BB PhD program. His lab maintains active grants via institutional appointments and Max Planck collaborations, supporting advanced infrastructure for membrane protein reconstitution and structural analysis. The group emphasizes collaborative science, with frequent co-authorship across MPI-CBG, PLID, and international partners. The Center of Membrane Biochemistry and Lipid Research operates as an interdisciplinary hub where biochemical reconstitution meets disease modeling. The lab's unique capability to control both protein and lipid components in synthetic systems enables unprecedented precision in dissecting lipid-protein crosstalk, driving innovations in targeting membrane-mediated signaling pathologies.

• Biochemistry
• Chemical Biology
• Redox Signaling
• +7 more

Brian C. Smith, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), with adjunct roles at Marquette University. His affiliations include leadership as Associate Director of the Program in Chemical Biology and memberships in MCW's Cancer Center, Cardiovascular Research Center, and Center for Disease Prevention Research. He holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley and Scripps Research. Dr. Smith's research spans redox biochemistry , epigenetic regulation , and enzyme mechanisms , focusing on post-translational modifications like S-nitrosation and lysine acylation. His lab studies sirtuin deacetylases, BET bromodomains, and nitric oxide signaling using techniques such as mass spectrometry, NMR, and chemical probe development. Major themes include: Developing bromodomain inhibitors for diabetes and cancer Deciphering redox control of protein function Engineering selective epigenetic modulators His recent publications (2023–2025) emphasize BET bromodomain therapeutics , sirtuin oxidative regulation , and redox metabolism in disease , with frequent appearances in high-impact journals like J Biol Chem , Cell Chem Biol , and ACS Chemical Biology . Honors include: MCW Outstanding Graduate Educator Award (2018) MCW Faculty Service Award (2019) Phi Beta Kappa & Bronze Tablet (Top 3% graduate, UIUC) NIH F31/R35 grants with impact scores of 12–17 (top percentiles) He actively mentors PhD students and postdocs, with funded projects totaling over $3M from NIH, ADA, and AHA. His lab collaborates with cardiovascular and cancer research teams, leveraging MCW's core facilities in structural genomics and redox biology.

• Integrin Structure and Function
• Platelet Biology
• Protein Glycosylation
• +5 more

Dr. Jieqing Zhu is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he conducts research on integrin structure and function with particular focus on β3 integrins involved in platelet biology. He holds additional appointments as a member of both the Cancer Center and the Cardiovascular Research Center at the institution. Dr. Zhu's research program centers on understanding the structural and molecular mechanisms that regulate integrin function, particularly how protein conformation, glycosylation, and cytoplasmic domain interactions control integrin activation states. His laboratory employs structural biology, biochemical, and cell biological approaches to investigate these mechanisms in the context of platelet function, immune responses to platelet antigens, and cell adhesion processes. Analysis of Dr. Zhu's publication record from 2013-2018 reveals a consistent focus on integrin structure-function relationships, with particular emphasis on how specific structural elements regulate integrin activation and function. His work spans from basic structural characterization to clinically relevant investigations of immune-mediated platelet disorders. The research demonstrates strong integration of structural insights with functional consequences in biological systems. Dr. Zhu's laboratory maintains active research in several interconnected areas: integrin structural biology, platelet immunology, mechanisms of antibody-mediated thrombocytopenia, and the role of post-translational modifications in regulating cell adhesion molecules. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications, particularly in understanding and potentially treating platelet-related bleeding disorders.

• Organic Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Bioorganic Chemistry
• +7 more

Professor John Spencer is a Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry and Director of the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex. With a distinguished career spanning academia and the pharmaceutical industry, he leads a research group focused on innovative drug discovery approaches. His educational background includes a first-class honors degree from Sussex, a PhD from the University of Strasbourg (1990-1994), and postdoctoral studies at ETH Zurich. After 10 years in the pharmaceutical industry, he held academic positions first as Reader at Greenwich University (5 years) and then at the University of Sussex where he progressed from Reader to Professor. Professor Spencer's research spans organic synthetic methodology, fragment-based drug design, PROTAC development, and C-H activation chemistry with applications in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and infectious diseases. His work bridges fundamental chemical research with therapeutic applications, particularly in targeted protein degradation and novel drug delivery systems. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on structure-guided drug design, with significant contributions to PROTAC technology, fragment-based screening methods, and the development of novel therapeutic approaches for cancer and infectious diseases. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Angewandte Chemie, and Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Over 30 active and recent grants from major funding bodies including Wellcome Trust, EPSRC, Cancer Research UK, and industry partners Significant contributions to the Open Science discovery of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors Leadership in the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre infrastructure Professor Spencer actively supervises multiple PhD students and postdocs while maintaining strong industry collaborations. His advisory roles include the Prostate Cancer UK Research Advisory Committee (2023-2027) and previous service on the Worldwide Cancer Research advisory board. He teaches Bioorganic Chemistry (Year 3), Advanced Organic Chemistry (Year 4), and Advanced Medicinal Chemistry for MSc students. The Sussex Drug Discovery Centre under Professor Spencer's leadership serves as a hub for collaborative drug discovery research, connecting academic researchers with pharmaceutical industry partners to advance novel therapeutic approaches from concept to preclinical development.

Bert de GrootView profile

Professor

• Computational Biomolecular Dynamics
• Molecular Dynamics Simulations
• Protein Structure and Function
• +2 more

Bert de Groot is an apl. Professor leading the Computational Biomolecular Dynamics group at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Göttingen, Germany. His research employs advanced computational methods to study biomolecular dynamics, with a focus on atomic-level simulations of protein function and membrane processes. His primary research interests include computational biomolecular dynamics, molecular dynamics simulations, protein structure-function relationships, membrane transport mechanisms, and allosteric regulation. He investigates how collective protein motions enable biological functions, particularly in water channel proteins like aquaporin and signaling molecules like ubiquitin. Analysis of his publications reveals consistent expertise in simulating biomolecular systems to uncover mechanistic insights, with recent work emphasizing allosteric communication pathways and membrane transport dynamics. His research bridges computational physics with structural biology to explain experimental observations at atomic resolution. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. No information regarding student advising or research grants was provided in the source material. He directs the Computational Biomolecular Dynamics group which develops specialized software including Concoord for protein structure generation from distance constraints, Maptools for processing experimental 3D maps (X-ray/EM), and contributes essential dynamics modules to the Gromacs molecular dynamics package.

• Substance Use Disorders
• Alcohol Use Disorder
• Opioid Use Disorder
• +4 more

Karen A Miotto is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Miotto has established herself as a leading researcher in substance use disorders, particularly focusing on alcohol and opioid use disorders and their pharmacological treatments. Dr. Miotto's research interests center on developing and testing novel pharmacotherapies for addiction, with particular emphasis on neuroimmune mechanisms in alcohol use disorder. Her work has extensively examined medications such as naltrexone, varenicline, and ibudilast, investigating their efficacy in reducing craving, consumption, and relapse in individuals with substance use disorders. She has made significant contributions to understanding how genetic factors, particularly in Asian American populations, influence treatment response to medications like naltrexone. Analysis of Dr. Miotto's publication record from 2021-2025 reveals a strong focus on neuroimmune modulation in alcohol use disorder, with multiple clinical trials examining ibudilast's effects on inflammation markers and drinking behavior. Her research increasingly incorporates biomarker approaches, examining how baseline inflammatory markers might predict treatment response. She has also expanded her work to address mental health concerns among healthcare workers during the pandemic, demonstrating the breadth of her clinical interests. Dr. Miotto has received NIH funding for her research, including the K23DA014291 grant titled 'GHB: Effects, Withdrawal and Treatment' from 2002-2008 where she served as Principal Investigator. Her collaborative network is extensive, with frequent co-authorship with researchers like Dr. Lara Ray, Dr. Edythe London, and others in the UCLA addiction research community. She has been actively involved in developing educational resources in addiction medicine, including implementing addiction medicine module-based educational platforms for medical trainees. Her work extends to addressing practical clinical challenges, such as overcoming barriers to initiating medication-assisted treatment in general medical settings and managing co-occurring substance use and pain disorders.

Jesper Langgaard KristensenView profile

Professor

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Serotonin Receptor Pharmacology
• Psychedelic Compound Development
• +5 more

Jesper Langgaard Kristensen is a Professor in Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on developing new methodologies for constructing compound classes relevant to medicinal chemistry and creating probes to elucidate mechanisms regulating pharmacological targets including ion channels, enzymes, and GPCRs. Education: Cand. Pharm. (1998), including 6 months research with Prof. Dieter Hoppe in Münster Ph.D. from Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2001), including 6 months research with Prof. Barry Trost at Stanford University Professor Kristensen's research spans medicinal chemistry, neuroscience, and imaging, with a particular focus on serotonin receptors, especially the 5-HT2A receptor. His work bridges chemical synthesis with pharmacological characterization to develop novel compounds with therapeutic potential, particularly in the areas of psychedelic medicine and neurodegenerative disorders. He has made significant contributions to understanding structure-activity relationships of serotonergic compounds and their potential as therapeutic agents. His publication record shows a strong trend toward developing selective serotonin receptor agonists, particularly targeting the 5-HT2A receptor for potential applications in depression treatment. Recent work also explores imaging technologies for neurological disorders, reflecting his dual expertise in medicinal chemistry and diagnostic applications. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, pharmacology, and neuroscience. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Member of Horizon2020 "Click-It" consortium (6 million Euro, 2015-2020) Member of Marie Curie ETN "AlphaSy" consortium (4.1 million Euro, 2018-2022) Coordinator of ETN-EID project SAFER (1.3 million Euro, 2017-2021) Professor Kristensen has secured significant research funding through competitive European grants and collaborates extensively with international research teams. His research group actively mentors students and researchers, contributing to the next generation of medicinal chemists. He also serves as CSO and founder of Lophora (www.lophora.com), translating academic research into commercial applications. The Kristensen Group at the University of Copenhagen operates at the intersection of chemical synthesis and pharmacological evaluation, with facilities for organic synthesis, molecular modeling, and biological testing. The group participates in several international consortia focused on developing novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Jette Sandholm Jensen KastrupView profile

Professor

• Structural Biology
• Drug Design
• Neuroscience
• +4 more

Jette Sandholm Jensen Kastrup is Professor of Experimental Structure-Based Drug Design at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, where she also serves as Deputy Head of Department with research leadership responsibilities. She leads the Receptor Structural Biology group, focusing on molecular studies of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for neurological drug discovery. Education: M.Sc. in Pharmacy, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy (1986) PhD (Industrial PhD), Royal Danish School of Pharmacy/Cheminova A/S (1988) Research Focus: Her work integrates structural biology (X-ray crystallography), medicinal chemistry, and molecular pharmacology to study receptor-drug interactions. Primary interests include: structural mechanisms of iGluRs in neurological disorders (Alzheimer's, epilepsy), GPCR drug targeting (35% of approved drugs), and development of allosteric modulators. Recent work emphasizes kainate and AMPA receptor modulation for neurotherapeutic applications. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2023-2025) demonstrate advanced structural characterization of glutamate receptors (GluK1, GluD1, GluA2) using crystallography and biophysical methods, with emphasis on allosteric modulator design and receptor activation mechanisms. Studies frequently integrate computational modeling, mutagenesis, and functional assays to map drug-receptor interactions. Awards: Valborg and Edith Larsens Foundation Award (2005) Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Award (2007) Leadership & Training: Directed the Drug Research Academy (2007-2012) and GluTarget excellence program (24.5M DKK grant). Mentored 32 PhD students and 15 postdocs. Currently heads the Neuroprotection research cluster and serves on national science councils including the Danish Council for Independent Research. Laboratory: Leads the Receptor Structural Biology group specializing in protein crystallography, collaborates internationally with medicinal chemists and pharmacologists, and maintains instrumentation for structural studies of membrane proteins.

Bente FrølundView profile

Professor

• Pharmacology
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Neuropharmacology
• +7 more

Bente Frølund is a Professor in the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on neuropharmacology with emphasis on GHB/CaMK2 pharmacology and ionotropic GABA A receptors, as well as nACh receptors and GABA transporters. Her research interests include: GHB/CaMK2 pharmacology Ionotropic GABA A receptors Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh) GABA transporters (GAT and TauT) Structure-activity relationship studies Development of photoligands for protein localization and activation Engineered molecular probes for ligand-protein interactions Professor Frølund's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on receptor pharmacology, particularly exploring the interactions between GHB ligands and CaMKIIα, as well as the development of novel ligands for GABA A and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Her work combines medicinal chemistry approaches with neuropharmacological evaluation to develop molecular tools for studying receptor function and potential therapeutic applications, with neuroprotection being a key focus area. Her scientific contributions include 178 research outputs as documented in her publication record, spanning journal articles, book chapters, patents, and conference presentations. Her work has been referenced in Wikipedia pages, picked up by news outlets, and discussed on social media platforms including X, Facebook, Bluesky, and Reddit. Professor Frølund collaborates extensively with researchers both within the University of Copenhagen and internationally, as indicated by the network visualization in her profile. Her laboratory develops molecular probes and novel methodologies to gain insight into the identity, localization, function, and therapeutic potential of target receptors and transporters.

• Pharmacology
• Chemokine Receptors
• GPCR Signaling
• +3 more

Olav Larsen is a Research Fellow in the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (Pharmaceutical Informatics) at the University of Copenhagen, where he conducts advanced research in pharmacology and receptor biology. His work primarily focuses on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), chemokine signaling, and ligand-receptor interactions. His research interests span: GPCR Pharmacology : Investigating biased signaling pathways and ligand design for Class A GPCRs. Chemokine Receptor Dynamics : Studying motif conservation, allosteric modulation, and peptide-derived regulation in receptors like CCR1, CCR5, and CCR7. Therapeutic Targeting : Exploring implications for diabetes, inflammation, and immune disorders through receptor-specific mechanisms. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on structural and functional aspects of receptor-ligand interactions, with emphasis on: Molecular mechanisms enabling ligand discrimination in chemokine receptors Biased agonism in metabolic hormone receptors (GLP-1R) Computational and experimental approaches to receptor modeling This work contributes to foundational knowledge in drug design and cellular signaling.

• Neuromedicinal Chemistry
• Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Studies
• Organic Synthesis
• +3 more

Rasmus Prætorius Clausen serves as Professor of Medicinal Chemistry within the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. His research program focuses on neuromedicinal chemistry, specializing in biostructure-based SAR studies, organic synthesis, and development of NMDA receptor ligands with therapeutic potential for neurological disorders. Dr. Clausen's educational background includes a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Aarhus University (1999) with dissertation "Silicon in Organic Chemistry: New Tri- and Tetraalkoxysilanes," and a Cand. Scient. in Chemistry-Cell Biology from the University of Southern Denmark (1994). His academic journey established the foundation for his current work at the chemistry-neuroscience interface. His research interests center on precise targeting of NMDA receptor subtypes through rational molecular design. Key areas include developing GluN2-subunit selective glycine site agonists, investigating allosteric modulation mechanisms, and optimizing molecular geometry for enhanced potency and selectivity. This work bridges synthetic organic chemistry with neuropharmacology to create tools for studying glutamate receptor function and potential therapeutics. Analysis of his recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a consistent trajectory in NMDA receptor pharmacology, with increasing sophistication in subunit-specific targeting. His work demonstrates strong translational potential, particularly in developing compounds with improved pharmacokinetic profiles like the GluN2C-selective agonist prodrugs characterized in 2023. Dr. Clausen's research impact is evidenced by substantial citation metrics, including 39 Scopus citations for his 2021 PNAS paper on GHB analogs and neuroprotection. His work reaches broad audiences, with publications shared across academic networks and read by dozens of researchers on platforms like Mendeley. As a laboratory leader, he maintains active collaborations both within Denmark and internationally, reflected in his co-authorship patterns. His team focuses on the medicinal chemistry pipeline from molecular design through synthesis to pharmacological characterization, with particular emphasis on creating selective neuropharmacological tools.

Jacob Emil PetersenView profile

Research Fellow

• GPCR Signaling
• Obesity Treatment
• Metabolic Diseases
• +4 more

Jacob Emil Petersen is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Schwartz Group at the Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. His work focuses on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their role in metabolic regulation and disease pathogenesis. Dr. Petersen's research spans multiple disciplines within molecular pharmacology and metabolism. His primary focus is on tachykinin receptors (NK1 and NK2), free fatty acid receptors (FFAR1/FFAR4), and other GPCRs involved in energy homeostasis. He employs a multidisciplinary approach combining structural biology, molecular pharmacology, and in vivo studies to investigate receptor activation mechanisms, signaling bias, and develop novel therapeutic strategies for obesity and metabolic disorders. His work has contributed to understanding how neuropeptides interact with their receptors and how these interactions can be leveraged for therapeutic benefit. Analysis of Dr. Petersen's publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward understanding receptor signaling mechanisms with direct therapeutic applications. His research increasingly integrates neuroscience, endocrinology, and pharmacology to address complex metabolic disorders. The publications show strong collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and have appeared in high-impact journals including Nature and Journal of Biological Chemistry, with several papers receiving significant media attention and citations. As a member of the Schwartz Group at CBMR, Dr. Petersen contributes to one of Europe's leading research environments for metabolic disease research. The group focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders and developing innovative therapeutic approaches. His work has practical implications for the development of new pharmacotherapies targeting GPCRs for obesity, diabetes, and related metabolic conditions, with several publications highlighting potential novel treatment strategies.

Pablo ArtigasView profile

Professor

• Membrane Biophysics
• Ion Transport
• P-type ATPases
• +5 more

Dr. Pablo Artigas serves as Professor in the Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's School of Medicine. His research program centers on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of P-type ATPase ion pumps, with particular focus on sodium/potassium (Na/K) and proton/potassium (H/K) transporters critical for cellular homeostasis and implicated in multiple human diseases. His laboratory investigates three interconnected research domains: Mechanisms of ion selectivity and transport stoichiometry in Na/K and H/K pumps using structural biology and electrophysiology Pathophysiological consequences of pump mutations in diseases including Conn's syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2, alternating hemiplegia of childhood, and cystic fibrosis Evolutionary adaptations of ion transport systems in extreme environments, modeled through brine shrimp survival in 14% salinity (4x seawater) Analysis of Dr. Artigas's recent publications (2020-2023) reveals a consistent emphasis on resolving atomic-level mechanisms of ion recognition and transport through integrated approaches combining mutagenesis, voltage clamp fluorometry, and computational modeling. His work demonstrates how subtle structural changes in transmembrane domains govern ion specificity and electrogenicity, with direct implications for understanding disease pathogenesis. Dr. Artigas currently mentors three graduate students and two undergraduates, supported by active NIH, NSF, and CH Foundation grants. His laboratory operates within the Center for Membrane Research (CMPR) and utilizes the Membrane Protein Core Laboratory (MPCL) facilities, providing access to advanced electrophysiology rigs, molecular biology suites, and fluorescence imaging systems. The lab maintains active collaborations with leading institutions including Aarhus University (Denmark), University of Chicago, and University of Iowa, fostering an international research environment focused on membrane transport biology.

Michaela JansenView profile

Professor

• Membrane protein structure and function
• Neurotransmitter receptors
• Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels
• +4 more

Dr. Michaela Jansen is a Professor and Associate Dean for Medical Education and Accreditation at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. She holds appointments in the Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, serves as Affiliate Faculty in Biotechnology, and is Associate Faculty in Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology. Dr. Jansen directs the Jansen Laboratory within the Center for Membrane Protein Research. Dr. Jansen's research focuses on the structure and function of membrane transport proteins, particularly neurotransmitter receptors of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel superfamily (nAChR, 5HT3, GABA) and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). Her work investigates how these proteins function as therapeutic targets for neurological disorders and cancer chemotherapy. She employs a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, biochemistry, chemical biology, biophysics, and pharmacology to study these membrane proteins at a molecular level. Analysis of Dr. Jansen's recent publications (2019-2024) reveals a consistent focus on serotonin receptors (particularly 5-HT3A), protein chaperones like RIC-3, and the proton-coupled folate transporter. Her research has important implications for understanding neurological disorders and developing cancer therapeutics. The work spans structural biology, molecular pharmacology, and translational applications, demonstrating both fundamental scientific contributions and potential clinical relevance. Dr. Jansen has received significant research funding, including continuous support from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke from 2007 through 2025, as well as funding from The CH Foundation and South Plains Foundation. She had a News and Views feature published in Nature, highlighting the significance of her contributions to membrane protein research. Dr. Jansen has mentored numerous graduate students and postdocs, with past trainees securing positions at prestigious institutions including Columbia, Einstein, Vanderbilt, and Yale, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry at companies like Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Sanofi. Current lab members include postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers working on various aspects of membrane protein structure and function. The Jansen Laboratory provides a collaborative research environment focused on understanding membrane proteins through cutting-edge techniques. The lab culture emphasizes diversity and inclusion, with a commitment to the strength gained through unity in diversity, reflecting Dr. Jansen's dedication to creating an inclusive research environment.