Pharmacology and Drug Design Core

University Of Texas Hlth Science Center, San Antonio TX

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The Pharmacology and Drug Design Core (PDDC) serves the overall structure of the San Antonio Nathan Shock Center (SA NSC) by providing investigators access to unique expertise and resources to design, conduct, and interpret studies of pharmacologic interventions that target aging processes. The discovery that xenobiotics can improve lifespan and healthspan in animal models complements other geroscience-based approaches to prevent and treat various age-related diseases. Identification and application of novel drug-based approaches to aging requires expertise in rational drug discovery and pharmacology. As part of the overall goal of the SA NSC, the PDDC provides this required expertise and the unique resources needed to discover, develop, and validate novel therapeutics targeting geroscience through synergy with our other Research Cores. The PDDC is poised to provide leadership and training that integrates with the other Cores, serving external and internal investigators with comprehensive aging-focused pharmacologic studies from pilot to full-scale. We accomplish these goals in the following Specific Aims: 1. To assist in assay design and measurement of tissue and formulation concentrations of novel or repurposed medications for studies using geroscience-guided pharmaceutical interventions. 2. To assist with PK and PD assessments designed to help define optimal dose, and the timing and route of drug administration to affect age-related targets. 3. To provide expertise and resources for target identification and validation, and discovery and development of small molecule interventions based on geroscience. 4. To educate and develop new investigators (including faculty and trainees) in drug-discovery and pharmacologic interventions in geroscience. We continue to innovate PDDC services, and now expand our capabilities, to provide expertise in novel aging target identification and validation to geroscience drug discovery and delivery. SA NSC investigators can now leverage the PDDC’s expertise and resources in target identification and validation using the state-of-the- art arrayed CRISPR knockout screening, and in drug discovery using a well-established platform consisting of high-throughput screening (HTS), computer-aided drug discovery (CADD), and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC), to design novel, or modify existing, gerotherapeutics. This will significantly expand our capabilities, from providing expertise in novel aging target identification and validation to geroscience drug discovery. The PDDC is poised to provide leadership and training that integrates with the other Cores, serving external and internal investigators with comprehensive aging-focused pharmacologic studies from pilot to full-scale.