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Schematic of CePTR-25 and HsPTCHD1 proteins, and two graphs comparing MPE (%) vs. fentanyl concentration in wildtype (left) and ptr-25 mutant (right), showing a rightward shift in the mutants dose-response curve.

August 29, 2022

Ptchd1 mediates opioid tolerance via cholesterol-dependent effects on μ-opioid receptor trafficking

The Grill lab in collaboration with Dr. Kirill Martemyanov’s group (UF Scripps Biomedical Labs) has used unbiased forward genetics to identify the Patched family protein PTR-25/Ptchd1 as an ancient, conserved...
A woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a light pink blouse with a floral pattern and a black blazer. Green foliage is visible in the blurred background.

May 3, 2022

Congratulations, Melissa MacEwen!

Melissa has been named one of the Husky 100! We congratulate you on all of your achievements and thank you for the support you have provided the Department of Pharmacology.
Diagram showing Lamprey parapinopsin (PPO) in OFF (purple) and ON (yellow) states. Light activates PPO, switching its state and leading to inhibitory GPCR signaling cascades involving αi and βγ subunits.

April 7, 2022

Tool Uses Light to Inhibit Neural Activity in Mice

In a study led by Bryan Copits, Ph.D., of the University of Washington School of Medicine, St. Louis, and Michael Bruchas, Ph.D., of the University of Washington, Seattle, researchers developed a tool that can precisely control and inhibit individual neurons.

A man with white hair and glasses smiles in front of a background showing a blue capsule, pills, and scientific graphics. A gold ASPET Fellow badge is displayed in the foreground.

October 8, 2021

Charles Chavkin elected as ASPET 2021 Fellow

Selection as a Fellow of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (FASPET) is an honor bestowed to our most distinguished members. Fellows are recognized for their meritorious efforts to advance pharmacology, through their scientific achievements, mentorship, and service to the Society.
University of Washington Pharmacology Graduate Program Virtual Open House announcement, with text in white and purple on a dark purple background.

October 8, 2021

UW Pharmacology Virtual Open House Event

The Department of Pharmacology, with the help of the Admissions Committee and Diversity Committee, is hosting a virtual (Zoom) Open House on Wednesday, November 8th!
A man with curly dark hair wearing a brown blazer stands next to a fluorescent microscope image showing brightly colored cells in green, blue, and red on a black background.

December 17, 2020

Vincenzo Cirulli elected to Board of Directors

Vincenzo Cirulli elected to the board of directors of the Diabetes Research Connection 
A man with light hair and a mustache smiles in front of a digital background featuring a microscope and a badge reading ASPET Fellow with a golden laurel wreath.

November 17, 2020

John D. Scott elected as ASPET 2020 Fellow

Selection as a Fellow of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (FASPET) is an honor bestowed to our most distinguished members. Fellows are recognized for their meritorious efforts to advance pharmacology, through their scientific achievements, mentorship, and service to the Society.
A green ribbon diagram of the NPR4-SBC protein with labeled N-terminus (N) and C-terminus (C), and a red-labeled SA molecule bound at the center of the structure.

October 9, 2020

Structural basis of salicylic acid perception by Arabidopsis NPR proteins

Zheng lab reveals how the plant immunity hormone, salicylic acid, which is also the precursor of Aspirin, is perceived by its receptor protein in plants. The results give us a hint on what the same molecule might be able to do in human cells besides targeting the cyclooxygenases.
A scientist wearing green gloves works with laboratory tools next to an illustration showing a molecular structure related to iron homeostasis, with labeled elements iron (Fe), oxygen (O₂), and a [2Fe2S] cluster.

April 13, 2020

Balancing Cellular Oxygen and Iron Levels.

Discovery of an unexpected iron-sulfur cluster embedded in a human ubiquitin ligase sheds light on how fluctuations in iron and oxygen levels regulate iron homeostasis in human cells through an oxygen-sensitive protein-protein interface.
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