Environmental and genetic factors as well as disease states are known to affect our ability to respond to drugs. Although the introduction of new therapeutic agents have significantly enhanced our ability to treat various acute as well as chronic illnesses, issues relating to drug-drug interactions…
more or lack of therapeutic efficacy often contribute to drug associated morbidity and mortality. My research interest is that of better understanding the molecular basis of interindividual differences in drug disposition. Research areas under active investigation in my laboratory include that of drug transporters, CYP enzymes, and the pathways involved in the regulated expression of such proteins. We have also studied environmental influences such as the role of dietary constituents on expression and function of intestinal drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes. We have also focused on identifying and assessing the in vitro as well as in vivo relevance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in drug uptake and efflux transporters that contribute to drug toxicity as well as variable efficacy. More recently, we have been involved in the elucidation of the key regulatory ligand-activated nuclear receptors that define the transcriptional activation of drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes. Overall, it is hoped these types of studies will ultimately contribute to the realization of personalized medicine.
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