# Synthesis and Evaluation of Alkaloids to Probe Membrane Receptors - Predoctoral Supplement

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2023 · $67,231

## Abstract

The discovery of new small molecules that perturb the function of membrane receptors, like G-
protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ligand-gated ion channels (LGIC), remains critically
important to the study and improvement of human health. Natural products, specifically alkaloids,
are particularly well-suited for this task, as their structural complexity and unique mechanism of
action make them superior chemical probes and excellent starting points for drug discovery. The
Riley lab is focused on developing step-economic synthetic routes and robust isolation protocols
to access these complex natural products and use them as pharmacological tools to study GPCRs
and LGICs. This research employs contemporary organic chemistry strategies and cutting-edge
techniques in receptor pharmacology to answer questions with important biomedical
consequences. As such, research in the Riley lab is a fertile training ground for graduate students
interested in pursuing careers in medicinal chemistry and the pharmaceutical sciences. In this
administrative supplement to parent award R35GM147005, we are requesting additional funds to
support the research training and career development of Ana Lopez-Hernandez. Ana’s research
training is an integral component of the parent award related to the synthesis and evaluation of
Aristotelia alkaloids that inhibit the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a family of LGICs.
This research will focus on developing a streamlined platform to rapidly generate, evaluate, and
design compounds based on the aristoquinoline scaffold with high selectivity for individual nAChR
subtypes. To help Ana achieve her long-term career goal of obtaining a position at a biotechnology
company in the drug discovery sector, we have included additional activities to encourage Ana’s
professional development. Ana will be given opportunities to enhance her scientific
communication skills, build her leadership abilities, and gain invaluable experience in the
biotechnology industry. Together, the research training and career development plan, which has
been crafted based on a tailored and evolving Individual Development Plan, will enable Ana to
build on her strong scientific foundation and become a successful member of the biomedical
workforce.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10820324
- **Project number:** 3R35GM147005-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew Riley
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $67,231
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10820324

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10820324, Synthesis and Evaluation of Alkaloids to Probe Membrane Receptors - Predoctoral Supplement (3R35GM147005-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10820324. Licensed CC0.

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