Understanding how ghrelin receptor signaling works to improve medicines
Official title: Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology of Ghrelin Receptor Functional Selectivity
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11456674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how ghrelin receptor signaling can be directed for safer, more effective drugs by exploring how this receptor communicates inside cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $432,575 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM167080-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who might benefit from future ghrelin receptor–targeted therapies could be considered in downstream translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage basic research may not immediately benefit all patients.
What this research studies
This project looks at how ghrelin receptor signaling can be fine-tuned through functional selectivity and allosteric modulation to create better medicines. It focuses on the molecular mechanisms at GPCRs, the largest family of drug targets, to understand how different signals lead to specific outcomes. The work combines biochemical, biophysical, and cellular approaches to map how receptor changes and ligand interactions shape cellular responses. The goal is to pave the way for drugs that maximize therapeutic benefits while reducing side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide the design of safer and more effective drugs targeting the ghrelin receptor in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in GPCR signaling has shown that biased signaling and allosteric modulation can influence drug effects, suggesting potential for clinical impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gross, Joshua D — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Gross, Joshua D
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.