Grant: Operating Grant

Morphine and other opioids commonly used in the clinical management of pain mediate their effects via the mu opioid receptor (MOP). However, the long-term use of MOP agonists such as morphine, in the setting of chronic pain, is often limited by numerous unwanted-effects such as tolerance and physical dependence liability, depressed respiration and reduced gastrointestinal tract motility. Undoubtedly, there is a need for morphine-like molecules with reduced side-effects. While there have been significant advances in this field, the "holy grail" of profound analgesia without significant unwanted effects remains unrealized. Over the past few years, the delta opioid receptor (DOP) revealed itself as a promising target to develop novel analgesics without the unwanted-effects commonly accompanying opioid treatments. This research project aims to design and synthesize novel delta-selective drugs to treat chronic pain.