Molecular insights into the allosteric regulation of opioid receptors

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Allosteric regulation is the biological process by which molecules bind to proteins someplace other than their active site, regulating their activity. Proteins on the cell surface called membrane receptors can be allosterically regulated to fine-tune the response of cells to the environment. This project aims to investigate how small molecules regulate receptor activity at a molecular level, using opioid receptors as an exemplar system. I will use an interdisciplinary approach that combines structural biology, medicinal chemistry, analytical pharmacology, and cell biology. The knowledge gained from these studies will advance fundamental understanding of receptor function and can lay the foundation for future drug discovery efforts.