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Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics Department
of Biopharmaceutical Sciences
Contact information: Email: click here USPS:
M/C 865, FedEx,
UPS: MBRB3320, 900 S Phone 312-996-0888, Lab 312-996-9778 Fax: 312-996-0098 |
Co-Editor Associate Editor Associate Editor |
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Research Interests Research in Dr. Wang's laboratory concentrates on 1)
understanding mechanisms of chronic
pain and drug addiction, and 2) developing new pharmacological treatments for
these conditions. We apply the power of neurobiology, molecular pharmacology,
molecular genetics and bioinformatics, and targeted delivery in our studies.
Currently, four major research directions are being pursued: |
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A major objective of the laboratory is to understand
the mechanisms leading to chronic pain, opioid tolerance and addiction,
and opioid-induced
hyperalgesia. These seemingly unrelated disease states are hypothesized
to share certain common underlying mechanisms. Studies are examining the role
of epigenetics and phosphorylation.
Another project aims to establish a cellular model to study cancer pain. More
recently, we have started to examine if various protein kinases work in
concert in these medical conditions (1, 2, 3). We are also
interested in developing new therapeutic targets as well as novel drugs that
can be used for the treatment of pain, drug addiction and other related CNS
problems. One ongoing project evaluates TRPV1 (receptor for
capsaicin, the pungent constituent in hot pepper) and its novel ligands for
treating chronic pain. Other studies are identifying and charactering novel
CNS-active ingredients from botanical herbs (1, 2, 3). Recently, we have identified that
phenothiazine antipsychotic drugs such as trifluoperazine and haloperidol may be of
use for fighting drug addiction, improving analgesic action of opioids, and
directly attenuating chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. An
area often being overlooked is applying knowledge from basic research to
benefit patients suffering from inadequate pain control or drug addiction. A
key obstacle is the lack of a potential therapeutic agent’s
accessibility to intracellular targets and/or tissue/cell-specificity. A
third focus in the lab is to develop nanomedicine for targeted drug delivery
for pain and drug addiction. One study
is testing novel nanoparticles to carry drugs across the blood brain barrier
to specific neurons, and if needed, to intracellular compartments. Finally,
we are interested in understanding the molecular genetics of
pain and pharmacogenetics of pain therapies (in particular opioids). We are applying the candidate gene approach
to evaluate the inter-individual variability in pain and pain control by
polymorphisms in neurotransmitter receptors (e.g., mu opiate receptor) and
their signaling proteins (e.g., protein kinase C). Among the patient
populations being studied are cancer and sickle cell patients. |
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Lab Members |
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Lisa Guo, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow |
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Xuebi Tian, M.D., Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow |
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Jinhu Sun, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow |
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Min Xia, M.D. Visiting Fellow |
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Yan
Chen, M.S. PhD Candidate (University Fellow) |
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Ying He, M.S. PhD Candidate (University Fellow) |
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Ellie
Jhun PharmD/PhD. Student |
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Sam Erb, M.S. Predoctoral Student |
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Ying Gao, M.S. Predoctoral Student |
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Click links below for more
information if you are interested in becoming a member of this
group, as a Undergraduate Research Assistant |
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