Heidi Hamm
Department of Pharmacology
Vanderbilt Brain Institute (VBI)
Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology (VICB)
Vanderbilt Center for Structural Biology (CSB)
Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (VCNDD)
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation
We study G protein signaling in mouse brains and human platelets. Current projects relate to G protein coupled receptor pharmacology and signaling. We seek to discover small molecules that inhibit the protease-activated receptor PAR4 for antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy. We also study regulation of secretion by Gi/o-coupled receptors and Gbg. We have discovered a novel interaction between Gbg and the SNARE complex and have generated a mouse that disables this interaction. Phenotyping this mouse has given us insight into the role of Gbg SNARE interaction and inhibition of exocytosis in metabolism and physiology.
We study G protein signaling in mouse brains and human platelets. Current projects relate to G protein coupled receptor pharmacology and signaling. We seek to discover small molecules that inhibit the protease-activated receptor PAR4 for antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy. We also study regulation of secretion by Gi/o-coupled receptors and Gbg. We have discovered a novel interaction between Gbg and the SNARE complex and have generated a mouse that disables this interaction. Phenotyping this mouse has given us insight into the role of Gbg SNARE interaction and inhibition of exocytosis in metabolism and physiology.
Keywords: G proteins , G protein coupled receptors , regulation of exocytosis , SNARE complex , Protease Activated Receptor-4 in platelets , drug discovery
Research Area: Drug Design , Cardiovascular Biology , Cell Signaling , Visual Sciences