Professor of Medicine
Director, Molecular Pharmacology Research Center
Molecular Cardiology Research Institute
Tufts New England Medical Center Hospital
15 Kneeland Street, 7th floor
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: (617) 636-4834
Fax: (617) 636-8692
Email: akopin@tufts-nemc.org

For the most recent description of Dr. Kopin's research and citations, please click on

Dr. Kopin's Lab Page:
http://160.109.101.132/mcri/MCRILabs/MolecularPharmacologyResearchCenter/default

Research Interests:

Research interests of the Kopin laboratory include exploring the molecular basis of metabolic (obesity, diabetes) and neurologic (Parkinson’s) disorders. Current studies focus on: (i) the role of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in modulating metabolic function as well as locomotor activity and (ii) the identification and characterization of disease relevant genes using Drosophila as a model system.
Ongoing structure-function studies of GPCRs are aimed at defining surrogate ligands as molecular/functional probes, determining the pharmacologic and physiologic consequences of protein coding polymorphisms, and further exploring the molecular basis/utility of constitutively active receptors. As research tools, we combine in vitro cell based assays with in vivo models (e.g. knockout mice, transgenic Drosophila, recombinant protein expression using viral vectors). Receptor families of particular interest include CCK/gastrin, melanocortin, dopamine, serotonin, and GABA.
In addition, we are screening Drosophila mutants to identify novel genes mediating feeding behavior, fat deposition, and abnormalities in locomotor activity. Candidate genes that have corresponding mammalian homologs are prioritized for further characterization. These studies may expedite the identification of genes which underlie susceptibility to metabolic or neurologic disorders.

Recent Publications:

1.  Locomotor activity is regulated by D2-like receptors in Drosophila: An anatomic and functional analysis.  Developmental Neurobiology.  2007 Feb.
 
2.  Identification of Amino Acid Determinants of Dopamine 2 Receptor Synthetic Agonist Function.  Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.  2007 Jan.
 
3.  Four Missense Mutations in the Ghrelin Receptor Result in Distinct Pharmacological Abnormalities.  Journal Pharmacology Experimental Therapeutics 322(3):1036-1043, 2007.  PubMed Abstract
 
4.  Identification of a series of CCK-2 receptor nonpeptide agonists: Sensitivity to stereochemistry and a receptor point mutation.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA.  2003 Apr.
 
5.  CCK receptor polymorphisms: an illustration of emerging themes in pharmacogenomics.  Trends in Pharm. Sciences. 21(9):319-359, 2000. PubMed Abstract