Pamela England, PhD

Phone: +1 415 502-6606
600 16th Street, Rm N512B
UCSF Box 2280
San Francisco, CA 94158
United States

What I do

Research in the England Lab is broadly focused on developing and applying chemical probes to investigate the structure and function of signaling proteins implicated in fundamental biological processes and human diseases. Execution of these research projects typically involves a combination of synthetic chemistry, computational chemistry, structural biology, and appropriate biochemical and biological assays. Two systems currently being studied are glutamate-gated ion channels and hormone-activated nuclear receptors.

The neurotransmitter glutamate drives specific changes in the functioning of synaptic glutamate-gated ion channels. These changes modulate the strength of synaptic transmission, encode information, and allow for adaptive behaviors. We are developing and using small molecules to track the functional states of glutamate-gated ion channels at neuronal synapses.

Natural hormones, cellular metabolites, and other small molecules drive specific changes in the structure and activity of nuclear receptors. In response to ligand binding, nuclear receptors form protein complexes that control gene transcription events underlying development, homeostasis, and many diseases. We are designing small molecules to manipulate gene transcription by precisely controlling the activity of nuclear receptors.

Departmental research area

My research expertise

Nuclear Receptors, Gene Transcription, androgen receptor, Antiandrogen, Nurr1, Nur77, Liver Receptor Homolog 1 (LRH1), dopamine, Glutamate, Ligand-gated Ion Channel, AMPA Receptor, Synaptic Transmission, Synaptic Plasticity, learning and memory, neurodegeneration, Parkinson’s disease

Professional background

Biography

Research in the England Lab focuses on the development and use of small molecules to manipulate and monitor the activities of biologically important ligand-receptor systems. Execution of these research projects typically involves a combination of synthetic chemistry, computational chemistry, structural biology, and appropriate biochemical and biological assays. Two systems currently being studied are glutamate-gated ion channels and hormone-activated nuclear receptors.

The neurotransmitter glutamate drives specific changes in the functioning of synaptic glutamate-gated ion channels. These changes modulate the strength of synaptic transmission, encode information, and allow for adaptive behaviors. We are developing and using small molecules to track the functional states of glutamate-gated ion channels at neuronal synapses.

Natural hormones and other small lipophilic molecules drive specific changes in the structure and activity of nuclear receptors. In response to hormone binding, nuclear receptors form protein complexes that control gene transcription events underlying development, homeostasis, and many diseases. We are designing small molecules to manipulate gene transcription by precisely controlling the activity of nuclear receptors.

Research keywords

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Indoles
  • Nitriles
  • Molecular Probes
  • Quinolines
  • dopamine
  • Anilides
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2
  • Enzyme Activators
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Disulfides
  • Tosyl Compounds
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Synapses