Artificial Membranes Incorporating GPCRs for Label-Free, Electrophysiological Measurements of Ligand-GPCR Interactions

Case ID:
UA19-119
Invention:

This invention consists of an artificial lipid membrane that incorporates G-protein coupled receptors into its structure. It allows direct, label-free measurement of ligand binding and activation of G-protein coupled receptors.

 

Background:

G-protein coupled receptors are a superfamily of proteins that are very popular drug targets. In 2017, 34% of all drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration act upon GPCRs, and about 20% of potential drugs in clinical trials target GPCRs. Furthermore, GPCRs are still considered largely untapped targets. In order to screen for potential binding agents and thereby find new drug targets to address conditions involving GPCR pathways, simple and broadly applicable high-throughput screening technologies are needed. This invention could lead to a new, simple and cost-effective way for high-throughput screening of GPCR ligands.

 

Applications:

  • High-throughput screening of drug candidates targeting GPCRs
  • Diagnostic products using high-throughput screening arrays

 

Advantages:

  • Direct, label-free measurement
  • Compatible with high throughput screening
Patent Information:
Contact For More Information:
Jonathan Larson
Senior Licensing Manager, College of Science
The University of Arizona
jonathanlarson@arizona.edu
Lead Inventor(s):
Steven Scott Saavedra
Craig Aspinwall
Keywords: