Dr. Jeremy Alden Teissere
New Science 219 / 484-664-3617
[email protected]
Education
Research Interests: neurotransmitter receptor structure & function / molecular neuroscience / neuropharmacology / states of consciousness
Recently, our laboratory has turned its attention to phytoextracts and herbal medicines that have a long folk history of use in reducing anxiety and inducing sleep, including passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), kava kava (Piper methysticum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and suanzaoren tang (Ziziphi spinosae). We use a multidisciplinary approach - including biochemical, pharmacological, and physiological methods - to resolve the putative action of these herbal medicines on the GABA(A) receptor. We are fortunate to have a parallel collaboration with the research lab of Dr. Christine Ingersoll, Professor of Chemistry, a specialist in analytical chemistry methods, to identify and quantify the key chemical constituents of these plants. Taken together, our work will map the precise binding locations of these phytocompounds on the receptor and more finely describe their allosteric effects on receptor function. All of our work shares the ultimate goal of understanding anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and epilepsy - and their pharmacological control - at a molecular level.
Courses
- Drug Science (NSC 115)
- Mind & Brain (NSC 201)
- Neurons & Networks (NSC 311)
- States of Consciousness (NSC 302)
- Receptors & Channels (NSC 304)
- Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience (NSC 401)