There is a lack of chemical tools to probe neural activity via stimulation of native receptors. We design and synthesize molecular probes to render native receptors controllable by bioorthogonal means, enabling experiments on brain function which are not possible with the techniques currently available.

Organic Synthesis

Our probes require multistep synthesis of natural product GPCR ligands. Current scaffolds of interest include the clavine and aporphine family of alkaloids.