Biasing Mu Opioid Receptor Signaling in the Body
Official title: Biasing Mu Opioid Receptor Signaling in vivo
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11444754 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring how different medicines that target the mu opioid receptor can provide pain relief with fewer dangerous side effects, aiming to inform safer opioid therapies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2015 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $379,682 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DA038964-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444754 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with chronic or acute pain who require opioid therapy and who may benefit from safer signaling-based analgesics in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals seeking immediate, non-opioid pain relief or those not at risk of opioid-related adverse effects may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant studies how the mu opioid receptor (MOR) works in living animals to produce pain relief and side effects. By testing drugs that favor certain signaling pathways, the researchers hope to separate good pain relief from harmful respiratory suppression and tolerance. They have identified compounds like SR-17108 that show strong pain relief with potentially less risk than traditional opioids, and they are examining how chronic use affects tolerance. The project combines biochemical studies with animal models to understand which drug features produce favorable MOR signaling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to opioid medicines that provide effective pain relief with reduced risk of respiratory problems and tolerance.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work suggests that certain MOR-targeting compounds can provide analgesia with less respiratory suppression, supporting continued development in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bohn, Laura M. — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Bohn, Laura M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.