Fields of Research
- Protein Structure
- Neurobiology and Behavior
Research Summary
I am currently trying to purify ABHD6 and determine which domains of the enzyme are involved in catalytic activity. I am also interested in using lipidomics to characterize the full range of ABHD6 substrates and identify which substrates are relevant for physiological effects of ABHD6 inhibitors such as reduced seizure duration.
Research Statement
ABHD6 is a serine hydrolase that degrades 2-arachidonoylglycerol, the most abundant endocannabinoid in the brain. Inhibiting ABHD6 produces therapeutic benefits such as reducing seizure duration in epilepsies that are refractory to standards of care. I am interested in better understanding the mechanism of ABHD6 function, including its activity dependence, substrate specificity, and its structure-function relationship. This molecular characterization will help us develop more selective ABHD6 inhibitors with a potential for clinical use in conditions such as refractory epilepsies.
Awards and Honors
Faculty
- Building:
- Health Sciences Building
- Room:
- F404
- Box:
- 357280
Lab
- Building:
- Health Sciences Building
- Room:
- F404
- Box:
- 357280