Molecular Horizons Seminar - Professor Chris Langmead

Despite reduced stigma regarding mental health disorders and improved access gateways, there has been no corresponding innovation in the development of new medicines for mental health conditions; most medicines currently prescribed for depression and schizophrenia are based on science that is over 50 years old.

Using cutting edge structural biology, molecular pharmacology and behavioural neurobiology techniques, our lab seeks to reimagine the development of new medicines in psychiatry. This includes the identification and validation of new drug targets, hit identification and lead optimisation, through to the use of more translationally relevant animal models and tests.

The talk will focus on the orphan G protein coupled receptor, GPR88, as a potential psychiatry drug target and how clinically-relevant touchscreen-based technology is being used to better select both targets and drugs for the treatment of cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia.