John A. Allen

John A. Allen, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Texas Medical Branch. His research program focuses on neuropharmacology and drug discovery for neurological and psychiatric disorders, with specialized expertise in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Dr. Allen leads an active laboratory employing multidisciplinary approaches including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, high-throughput screening, live-cell imaging, and rodent behavioral models to investigate striatal GPCRs involved in addiction and movement disorders.

Education

• BS, Cell Biology, University of Illinois, Chicago (2002)
• PhD, Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois-School of Medicine (2008)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2008-2011)

Research Focus

The Allen laboratory investigates signal transduction mechanisms of dopamine, serotonin, and orphan GPCRs in the striatum and basal ganglia. Research integrates molecular pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and behavioral neuroscience to: 1) Elucidate GPCR signaling pathways using transcriptomics and genome editing; 2) Discover novel neurotherapeutics through high-throughput screening; 3) Characterize receptor trafficking via advanced microscopy; and 4) Validate targets in preclinical models of addiction, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia.

Research Funding

• GPR52 - MapLight Project (PI, 2022-2025): Developing GPR52 agonists for neuropsychiatric disorders
• NIDA U18DA052543 (PI, 2020-2023): Validating GPR52 therapeutics for stimulant use disorders
• NIDA R21DA047643 (PI, 2019-2022): Kinetics of dopamine D1 receptor biased signaling
• PhRMA Foundation Grant (PI, 2018-2019): Small molecule discovery for orphan receptors

Laboratory & Team

The laboratory utilizes cutting-edge approaches including CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, robotic high-throughput screening platforms, single-cell transcriptomics, confocal microscopy for live-cell imaging of receptor trafficking, and comprehensive behavioral phenotyping in rodent models. Collaborative projects bridge chemical biology, systems pharmacology, and translational neuroscience.