Graham Ladds

I am a Lecturer in Pharmacology whose research uses a multidisciplinary approach to study the molecular basis of GPCR signalling. I have published over 46 peer-reviewed papers, numerous conference papers and, since 2005, have obtained in excess of £2.6 million in grant income. I established the G protein Signalling Group (GPS) in 2006 and have successfully supervised ten post-graduate students and currently supervises four. In 2009, I was appointed as one of Warwick’s academic research leads for the Birmingham Science City Research Alliance (Translational Medicine). I have collaborations with the UK pharmaceutical industry including Novartis and GSK and numerous international and national academics.

Our current focus is on the molecular mechanisms that family B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) utilise to engender signalling bias. Specifically we are establishing the extent and consequences of receptor modifying activity proteins (RAMPs) association with the human family B GPCRs. Many physiologically important hormones and neurotransmitters act via family B GPCRs. These include substances such as GLP-1 and glucagon, relevant to diabetes and other metabolic disorders especially common in the elderly. RAMPs are found throughout the body. However, until recently, the consequences of RAMP-receptor interactions remained unknown. A recent study of two receptors has shown that RAMPs have important consequences for the way they function and we are now extending these studies to all 15 family B GPCRs.