Anni allikalt received this year’s President’s Cultural Foundation Young Scientist Award
Anni’s research focuses on G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), a major class of membrane proteins that mediate neuronal signaling and are implicated in numerous diseases. Approximately one third of FDA‑approved drugs target GPCRs, highlighting their clinical importance. Her research group in personalized pharmacology investigates how genetic variation in GPCRs affects drug efficacy, with the aim of enabling individualized treatment strategies such as adjusted dosing or alternative therapies. The work combines experimental pharmacology with population genetics to understand how structural changes in receptors alter drug–receptor interactions.
As genome sequencing becomes increasingly accessible, it is evident that rare and common genetic variants in GPCR genes can influence drug binding, signaling strength, and adverse effects, yet the functional consequences of most variants remain unknown. To address this gap, she collaborates with the Estonian Biobank to identify naturally occurring GPCR variants, with an initial focus on dopamine receptors relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders. These variants are cloned, expressed in cell systems, and systematically characterized to assess drug binding, signaling kinetics, and functional outcomes, providing a mechanistic foundation for future in vivo studies and precision medicine approaches.
Congratulations to Anni and to the team!
As genome sequencing becomes increasingly accessible, it is evident that rare and common genetic variants in GPCR genes can influence drug binding, signaling strength, and adverse effects, yet the functional consequences of most variants remain unknown. To address this gap, she collaborates with the Estonian Biobank to identify naturally occurring GPCR variants, with an initial focus on dopamine receptors relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders. These variants are cloned, expressed in cell systems, and systematically characterized to assess drug binding, signaling kinetics, and functional outcomes, providing a mechanistic foundation for future in vivo studies and precision medicine approaches.
Congratulations to Anni and to the team!
Photo by Arno Mikkor.