Chemistry and Physiological Systems Research Branch

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Mission

The Chemistry and Physiological Systems Research Branch supports research on all aspects of chemistry and physiological systems affected by drugs of abuse.

Program Areas

This branch supports research programs on

• The effects of drugs on central nervous system and physiological systems, including those related to immune functions and AIDS
  
  
• The discovery of endogenous ligands, and the role of endogenous ligands and systems relevant to drug action, and addiction.
  
  
• The studies of absorption, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, elimination, transport and delivery
  
  
• Investigations on analytical methods development, proteomics, protein folding and related functional genomics and structural biology.
  
  
• Synthesis, structure-function relationships, conformational studies, structural biology, ligand design of all drugs abuse; synthesis of affinity reagents, chemical probes, drug-receptor interaction model to elucidate drug action
  
  
• Perinatal drug exposure and the effects of confounding factors, such as, maternal and environmental stress, nutrition etc, on neural systems and other organs using animal models and other cellular approaches
  
  
• Pharmacological aspects exposure to drugs of abuse in utero
  
  
• Research investigating the effects of drugs of abuse exposure on cardiovascular, pulmonary and other biological systems using in vivo and in vitro models
  
  

The NIDA Drug Supply Program is administered by the Chemistry & Physiological Systems Research Branch. In addition to funding research in drug abuse, addiction, prevention, and treatment, NIDA facilitates such research to accomplish its mission by providing chemicals and research probes that are either unavailable, difficult to obtain, or very expensive to buy to researchers. In addition, this program also provides analytical services for the analysis of researchers experimental samples.

For additional information contact Hari Singh, Ph.D. or Kevin Gormley

Program Announcements

PA-02-095: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Smoked Drugs of Abuse

PA-99-004: Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins
Addendum - Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins

Contacts

Division Contact Information

Rao S. Rapaka, Ph.D.
Chief
(301) 443-6300

Focuses on chemistry, drug design, peptides & proteomics, enzymology.

Paul S. Hillery, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator
(301)443-6300

Supports research in organic & medicinal chemistry, structural biology.

Hari H. Singh, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator
(301)443-6300

Focuses on peptide, medicinal, analytical chemistry, Drug supply and analytical services.

Pushpa Thadani, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator
(301) 443-6300

Supports perinatal pharmacology, CNS development, cardiovascular, respiratory functions and other physiological systems research, Minority and SBIR Research Representative.

Kevin Gormley
Drug Supply Program Coordinator
(301) 443-6275

Deb Musumeci
Branch Secretary
(301) 443-6300

Mrs. Musumeci serves as secretary to the Branch Chief and other staff of the Chemistry and Physiological Systems Research Branch, and also the Branch Chief and other staff of the Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology Research Branch, Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research (DNBR). Her responsibilities include maintaining flow of office work, setting priorities and managing everyday office procedures for the Branches. She is also responsible making travel arrangements for Branch Chiefs and staff. Importantly, she processes grant pay memos and maintains an accurate database log on grants.

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