Molecular Pharmacology Research Program
This program supports research aimed at the discovery, design, development, and testing of novel compounds for use as pharmacological research tools or candidate therapeutics for mental disorders. Areas of interest include:
- Studies on the design, synthesis, and characterization of target-selective ligands.
- Isolation, identification, and characterization of compounds derived from natural products.
- Molecular modeling and computational chemistry.
- Isolation and characterization of endogenous ligands.
- Preliminary evaluation of candidate compounds using screening assays (e.g., biochemical and cellular assays, modified model organisms, and electrophysiological or behavioral systems).
- Development and evaluation of novel chemical delivery systems.
The program also provides a range of research resources, including the screening of novel psychoactive compounds at CNS receptors, channels, and transporters; the synthesis and distribution of psychoactive compounds to support basic and clinical research; and the assessment of promising compounds for toxicity and safety for use in human studies. Research resources supported by the program include:
- NIMH Psychoactive Drug Screening Program —provides screening of novel psychoactive compounds for pharmacological and functional activity at cloned human or rodent CNS receptors, channels, and transporters. Assays are also available for bioavailability predictions (CaCo2, MDR-1) and cardiovascular toxicity predictions (HERG, 5-HT2B). The program also supports a database of affinity constants for ligand binding.
- NIMH Chemical Synthesis and Drug Supply Program —synthesizes and distributes novel research chemicals, psychoactive drugs, and compounds unavailable to the scientific community from commercial sources. The program also supports radiosynthesis, medicinal chemistry, and GMP synthesis of promising candidate compounds for use in clinical studies.
- NIMH Toxicological Evaluation of Novel Ligands Program —provides toxicology and safety assessment of promising, target-selective compounds for use as imaging ligands in human studies. The program also provides support for early drug and ligand discovery, including in vitro ADME and toxicology assays, pharmacokinetic assessment, and initial toxicity evaluation and limited IND-directed evaluation of novel psychoactive agents for clinical research and as potential therapeutics. Toxicology and safety data generated by the program will be used to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and for Radioactive Drug Research Committee (RDRC) evaluation of a compound for human studies.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposals with the institute contacts listed below prior to the submission of their applications to ascertain that their proposed work is aligned with NIMH funding priorities.
Contact
Lois Winsky, Ph.D.
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 7185, MSC 9641
301-443-5288, lwinsky@mail.nih.gov
Contact for Research Resources
Jamie Driscoll, B.A.
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 7194, MSC 9641
301-443-5288, jdrisco1@mail.nih.gov
