Dr. Kobilka’s research aims to characterize the structure and mechanism of activation of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of receptors for neurotransmitters and hormones. GPCRs are promising therapeutic targets given their role in regulating many aspects of human physiology. His lab uses a variety of approaches, including cell biology, gene disruption in mice, and in vivo physiology, to determine the role of specific adrenergic receptor subtypes in normal physiology. The overarching goal of this research program is to understand the structural basis for GPCR signaling through multiple pathways using methods that will provide high-resolution structural constraints and characterize protein dynamics under more physiologic conditions.