effectiveness of SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft). Without RGS protein regulation over 5-HT1a signaling, the mice not only were more responsive to SSRIs, but also showed antidepressive and anxiolytic behavior without first being treated with antidepressants. “When placed in stressful situations, the mice behaved as though they were being treated with an antidepressant,” says Talbot. “When the mice were given an SSRI, the antidepressant potency of the drug was dramatically improved by five to 10 times.” Talbot is optimistic that his research could lead to a new class of drugs capable of inhibiting RGS proteins, which would more selectively target the antidepressant signal produced by 5-HT1a receptors. “Eventually, we hope this work will lead to improved therapies for depression and anxiety, both in terms of efficacy and treatment outcomes,” he says.
Extending the classroom
My students remind me that my research applies to real people in real life. – Dr. Mark Olah
According to Dr. Mark Olah, associate professor of pharmacology, teaching and research provide an ideal balance in his professional life. Teaching offers the rewarding experience of sharing his knowledge and seeing the light turn on in his students’ heads. While research gives him the satisfaction of knowing that he is progressively shedding light on an important area of vascular signaling.
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Olah has been investigating angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from existing vessels, since his postdoctoral research days at Duke University. In particular, he’s interested in the role of a protein known as Epac in blood vessel growth. His studies have demonstrated that the recently discovered Epac protein has a role in activating a major growth pathway in endothelial cells. These findings were published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Recently, Olah was awarded a three-year National Institute of Health (NIH) Academic Research Enhancement grant to support further research on the role of Epac in the endothelial cell events that are necessary for angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is a process that is currently not targeted by many drugs; however, it is an area of great therapeutic potential as evidenced by the recent approval of anti-cancer agents that disrupt angiogenesis. Olah’s research could lead to new treatment options for a wide range of disease states, such as diabetes, coronary atherosclerosis and cancer. “The long-term goal is to identify and characterize the proteins involved in blood vessel growth and find ways to turn them off or on,” says Olah. Cancerous tumors, for example, rely on blood vessels to feed them. If blood vessel growth could be shut down at the tumor site, it would be possible to starve the cancer. Conversely, if blood vessel growth could be stimulated, it would help individuals who suffer from blood vessel damage caused by diabetes or heart disease. Every weekday, Olah can be found in his laboratory absorbed in experiments with DNA and human microvascular endothelial cell cultures that are the byproducts of tummy tucks and other surgeries. Making a new discovery “feels pretty darn good,” acknowledges Olah. But most days don’t produce a home run. Experiments are time-consuming, and it can take repeated attempts before they yield results or a definitive answer. “You can’t be the type of person who gets easily discouraged.” Olah appreciates his time spent in the classroom for the balance it provides. He enjoys his daily contact with students and the challenge of teaching them the biomedical