Andrew J

Biography

I undertook my PhD at Bristol University with Prof Graham Collingridge and Dr George Schofleld, where I used epifluorescence imaging techniques to study metabotropic glutamate receptor signalling in cerebellar granule cells (1988-1992). Following on from this as a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Prof. Graham Collingridge (1992-1996), I was involved in one of the first studies investigating the surface expression of glutamate receptor (GluR1) subunits (Richmond et al., 1996). Subsequently, on obtaining a Wellcome Career Development Fellowship at the University of Aberdeen(1996-2001), we used related immunocytochemical approaches (in collaboration with Dr Coutts & Prof Pertwee, Aberdeen & Dr Mackie, Washington) for analysing the functional localisaton of cell surface CB1receptors in cultured neurons (Irving et al., 2000), which we found to be highly polarised towards the axon and enriched at GABAergic terminals. This approach also allowed us to study the characteristics of agonist-induced internalisation of native CB1 receptors in neurons for the first time (Coutts et al., 2001).   In 2001 I moved to a lectureship position at Dundee University, and was made a senior lecturer in 2010.

Research Interest

Our current research is focused on the use of  light microscopy and molecular imaging techniques to study cell function and G-protein coupled-receptor (GPCR) mediated cell signaling and pharmacology. Over the past few years we have introduced new molecular imaging approaches for the study of cell function and regulation, with a particular emphasis on receptor trafficking and  imaging of cytoskeletal dynamics using fluorescent fusion proteins (e.g. with SEP or GFP ; McDonald et al., 2007) and fluorescent markers (e.g. Alexa phalloidin; O’Malley et al., 2006) in cultured cells.  Much of our recent work has involved investigating the properties of the novel cannabinoid receptor, GPR55, which links via G13 G proteins to Rho GTPase activation and associated changes in cell morphology and migration (Henstridge et al., 2009, Henstridge et al., 2010; Ford et al., 2010).   Our research examining the role of endogenous cannabinoid/lipid signalling systems have greatly advanced our knowledge of how these function at the cellular level. Studies of the dynamic regulation of CB1 receptor expression have highlighted how receptor endocytosis may underlie the distinct pattern of tolerance that develops towards cannabinoids. Other work has indicated a potential neuroprotective role for cannabinoids and characterised a peripheral target for the effects of cannabinoid antagonists on energy metabolism and body weight. Our current research on novel cannabinoid/lipid sensing receptors offers the possibility of developing therapeutic targets with more focused activities and a reduced potential for side effects.