Meiler, Jens, Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology

Jens Meiler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Vanderbilt University
Departments of Chemistry, Pharmacology
Biomedical Informatics Center for Structural Biology
Institute for Chemical Biology
465 21st Avenue South
MRBIII, Room 5144B
Nashville, TN 37232
615-936-5662 (office)
jens@meilerlab.org

Computational Biology in Neuroscience

The Meiler lab pioneers the application of computational methods in neuroscience. Specifically, we engage computational structural biology to construct three-dimensional models of membrane proteins central in neuronal signaling such as voltage-gated potassium channels (Biochemistry; 2007; Vol. 46 (49): p. 14141-52), metabotropic glutamate receptors (Science; 2014; Vol. 344 (6179): p. 58-64), and serotonin transporter (Proteins; 2009; Vol. 74 (3): p. 630-42). We leverage these models to understand disease mutations and explore therapeutic strategies including computer-aided drug discovery. Specifically, we investigate Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease, work to understand the structural determinants of antidepressant binding to neurotransmitter transporters, or study cardiac arrhythmia as caused by the complex interplay of potassium channel regulation and drug interactions.

For more information, please visit the lab website.