Paul Slesinger, PhD
img_Paul Slesinger
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
VICE CHAIR FOR NASH DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSCIENCE | Neuroscience
Research Topics
Addiction, Biophysics, Electrophysiology, Neurophysiology, Neuroscience, Protein Trafficking & Sorting, Signal Transduction, Synaptic Plasticity
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics (DMT), Neuroscience [NEU]
I) Neural circuits underlying addiction – role of potassium channels.
Project: Investigating the structural and molecular determinants of GIRK channel gating and modulation. Project: Investigating the neuronal activity and neurotransmitter release in the reward circuitry during alcohol intake, using fiber photometry to measure fluorescence in freely moving animals that express genetically encoded calcium and neurotransmitter indicators. Project: Investigating the physiological roles of the GIRK channels in the brain disorders, and developing pharmacological tools to modulate GIRK channels in these disorders.
II) Advancing novel techniques for elucidating neuropeptide signaling in the brain
Project: We are developing tools for measuring the real-time release of neuropeptides in freely behaving animals using new biosensors (i.e., CNiFERs) and custom-made Miniscopes. Project: We are developing nanovesicles engineered for photorelease of drugs in vivo in real-time.
III) Human neuronal models of schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder
Project: Investigating the role of GIRK2 function in excitatory neurons in the context of alcohol use disorder, using hiPSC-derived neurons and a combination of electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and transcriptomic analysis. Project: Investigating the impact of the effects of polygenic alterations related to alcohol use disorder (AUD) on the human neuronal function using iPSC-derived excitatory neurons from control individuals and AUD patients.

BA, Reed College

PhD, University of California, San Francisco

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Francisco

2006

NARSAD Independent Investigator Award

2003

McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Award

2001

Human Frontiers Science Program Young Investigator Grant

1999

McKnight Scholars Award in Neuroscience

1998

Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow

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Dr. Slesinger has not yet completed reporting of Industry relationships.

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