Bryan Roth
Professor of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Papers
Trials
Key Impact
A leading GPCR pharmacologist whose structural, computational and translational work has materially advanced understanding of 5‑HT2A receptor pharmacology and the mechanisms of psychedelic drugs.
Background & Research
Bryan L. Roth is a pharmacologist and neuroscientist whose laboratory focuses on G protein‑coupled receptor (GPCR) biology and the molecular and behavioural actions of psychedelic compounds. His group has produced high‑resolution structural data for the human 5‑HT2A (serotonin) receptor bound to classical hallucinogens, work that has clarified ligand‑receptor interactions and activation mechanisms for hallucinogenic agonists. These structural insights have been coupled with computational approaches to guide prospective ligand discovery.
Roth's recent work, as reflected in publications on AlphaFold2‑guided ligand discovery and bespoke library docking for 5‑HT2A agonists with antidepressant activity, emphasises translating structural pharmacology into novel ligand design. He has also contributed engineered mouse models and chemogenetic strategies to interrogate psychedelic drug actions in vivo, supporting preclinical investigation of therapeutic applications in mood and stress‑related disorders such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.