Opioid Project

Project Overview

The long-range goal of the Opioid Project is to elucidate the activation mechanism of mu opioid receptor (μOR) using molecular models, and design a new class of analgesics with reduced side effects. The side effects of opioids include respiratory suppression and addiction.

The activity of μOR is measured using TEVC with oocytes expressing μOR, KCNJ3 (GIRK1) and KCNJ9 (GIRK3).

What you can do to help the team

1. Help us build molecular models. (Precise/Technical Learning Pattern)

2. Help us with writing of a manuscript by doing literature review. (Precise Learning Pattern)

3. Help us run MD simulations and calculate interaction energies of key residues.

4. Help us test drug effects with wild-type and mutant μOR.