Home Investigators Jennifer Whistler, Ph.D.
Jennifer Whistler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Neurology in residence, Department of Neurology
University of California, San Francisco
Member, Wheelr Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction

Contract Information:
Tel: (510) 985-3127
Fax: (510) 985-3101
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My research focuses on the mechanisms of membrane protein trafficking and the role this process plays in regulating signal transduction. Specifically we study the regulated endocytosis of G protein coupled receptors such as opioid receptors. Opiate analgesia, tolerance and dependence are mediated by drug-induced activation of opioid receptors. A fundamental question in addiction biology is why opiate drugs such as morphine and heroin have a high liability for inducing tolerance and addiction while endorphins and enkephalins, the native ligands for opioid receptors do not.

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