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Dr. Eric L. Barker is a Professor in the Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Purdue University. He specializes in Molecular Pharmacology, particularly in the dynamics of neurotransmitter clearance and the pharmacological properties of serotonin and endogenous cannabinoid transporters. His research investigates the molecular mechanisms involved in serotonin transport, focusing on the SERT (serotonin transporter) as a clinical target for antidepressant medications and drugs of abuse. Dr. Barker's work utilizes a variety of techniques including electrophysiology and site-directed mutagenesis to explore the structural determinants of transporter function. He is particularly interested in the binding properties of antidepressants like imipramine, sertraline, and fluoxetine, as well as their interaction with stimulants such as cocaine. Additionally, he investigates the role of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid, in neurotransmission and its transport mechanisms within the brain. Dr. Barker aims to identify novel proteins involved in anandamide transport and the implications of these discoveries in pharmacology and therapy.
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