Response surface mapping of drug interactions. Many people take multiple medications for chronic disease conditions. Using computer modeling, I am constructing surface maps that describe the interactions of drugs given in combination to quantitatively determine synergism, antagonism, or simple additivity of effect. The goal again is to determine optimal dosing profiles when agents are given in combination. Pharmacologic characterization of toxins from cone snails for use as therapeutic agents.
Cone snails inhabit warm water reefs in the Pacific and Atlantic regions.
They capture food by injecting a toxin which renders their prey motionless so that they can be consumed. These peptides have very specific receptor interactions and when isolated, can be used as pharmacologic vectors to modulate both ion and ligand gated receptors. Working with a local company, this project is characterizing the effect of different peptide compounds derived from cone snails an characterizing their pharmacokinetics in an animal model. Comparative analysis of pharmacologic properties is used to identify compounds that may have good therapeutic promise. Initial efforts have been directed toward work with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists and sodium channel blocking drugs.