Understanding how the mu-opioid receptor works to improve pain relief and reduce addiction risk
Spatiotemporal signaling and trafficking of the mu-opioid receptor
This study is looking at how a key part of our body that helps with pain relief can be better understood to create safer pain medications that reduce the risk of addiction and side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11096062 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), which is crucial for pain relief but also linked to addiction and severe side effects. By examining how MOR signaling changes based on its location and the substances that bind to it, the study aims to uncover new ways to develop safer pain medications. The approach combines advanced techniques like quantitative proteomics and functional genomics to explore the complex interactions and pathways activated by MOR. This could lead to innovative treatments that provide effective pain relief with lower risks of addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who require pain management but are at risk of opioid addiction or have experienced adverse effects from traditional opioids.
Not a fit: Patients who do not require pain relief or those who are not affected by opioid addiction may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer analgesics that effectively manage pain without the high risk of addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding opioid receptor signaling, but this approach aims to provide novel insights that could lead to breakthrough treatments.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huttenhain, Ruth — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Huttenhain, Ruth
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 below.