Jerri Rook , Ph.D.

Research Fellow

     B.A.     Biology/Chemistry, Drury University, 2000

     Ph.D.   Pharmacology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 2008

Biosketch and Research Interests
Jerri joined Dr. Conn’s research group in June 2008 as a post-doctoral research fellow after obtaining her doctoral training in Pharmacology from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Currently, her research interests focus on the in vivo characterization of novel positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5. Recent findings from Dr. Conn’s laboratory and others indicate that selective activators of specific subtypes of metabotropic glutamate receptors may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of the psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairments observed in individuals with schizophrenia. Jerri is utilizing PET imaging experiments to determine the in vivo receptor occupancy of novel mGluR5-selective compounds. Additionally, she is investigating the efficacy of mGluR5 PAMs in rodent behavioral models predictive of antipsychotic and cognitive-enhancing activity.

Selected Publications

Sharma S, Kedrowski J, Rook JM, Barrett RS, Jones CK, Rodriguez AL, Conn PJ, Lindsley CW. 2009. Discovery of molecular switches that modulate modes of mGluR5 pharmacology in vitro and in vivo within a series of functionalized, regioisomeric 2- or 5-(phenylethynyl) pyrimidines. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 23;52(14):4103-6

Rook JM, Hasan W, McCarson KE. 2009. Morphine-induced early delays in wound closure: involvement of sensory neuropeptides and modification of neurokinin receptor expression. Biochemical Pharmacology. 77(11):1747-55

Rook JM, Hasan W, McCarson KE. 2008. Temporal effects of topical morphine application on cutaneous wound healing. Anesthesiology 109(1):130-6

Rook JM, McCarson, KE. 2007. Delay of cutaneous wound closure by morphine via local blockade of peripheral tachykinin release. Biochemical Pharmacology 74(5):752-7

Roy RN, Carlsten JA, Niederschmidt J, Good WS, Rook JM, Brewe C, Kilker AJ, Roy LN, Kuhler KM. 1997. Buffers for the physiological pH range: thermodynamic constants of substituted aminopropanesulfonic acids from 5 to 55ºC. Journal of Solution Chemistry 26; (3) 309-17

Roy RN, Moore CP, Carlsten JA, Good WS, Harris P, Rook JM, Roy LN, Kuhler KM. 1997. Second dissociation constant of two substituted aminomethanesulfonic acids in water from 5 to 55ºC. Journal of Solution Chemistry 26; (12) 1209-16