John Tesmer Research Group - Purdue University

The Tesmer lab studies G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways involved in cardiovascular disease and cancer. Our principal approach is to determine cryo-EM or X-ray structures of receptors and their downstream signaling components alone and in complex with key regulators, and then test structure-derived hypotheses via a battery of functional assays. The underlying rationale is that a better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the regulation of these proteins will accelerate development of novel therapeutics. A major focus of our lab has been the structure and function of GPCR kinases (GRKs), which are upregulated in chronic disease states such as heart failure (primarily GRK2 and GRK5) and cancer (primarily GRK5 and GRK6). We have determined representative atomic structures for each GRK subfamily and most recently of GRK1 in complex with rhodopsin, the first of a GRK with a GPCR. We also have a mature drug discovery program that has identified potent small molecule agents selective for individual GRK subfamilies. With the Handel lab (UCSD), we are currently studying how GRKs and arrestins contribute to the function of ACKR3, an arrestin-biased receptor upregulated in human tumors. Another major focus is on GPCR-regulated Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) involved in tumor growth and metastasis, Trio and P-Rex1, respectively.

Dr. Tesmer has been involved in biophysics-related research since 1988 and has contributed to over 150 publications (~8 per year since 2010, h-index of 49 in Scopus), with nearly continuous support from the NIH since 2003. He has been recognized by a series of awards (ASPET J. Jacob Abel Award, ASBMB Young Investigator Award, AAAS Fellow) consistent with a high level of productivity, creativity, and impact. He has mentored and trained 16 post-doctoral fellows (including 11 women) and 23 PhD/MS students (including 2 URM students and 12 women). Five of his graduate students were awarded fellowships from the American Heart Association (AHA), and one an NRSA F31 fellowship. Seven of his post-doctoral trainees received fellowships from various sources including the AHA, the American Cancer Society, and the NIH. Most lab alumni have remained in science-related fields, with 6 now employed as academic faculty and 5 as senior scientists in Pharma (including 5 women and 1 URM). Dr. Tesmer has also mentored over 60 undergraduate researchers.

Lab news

October 2024

Now officially, Dr. Yueyi Chen successfully defended her PhD thesis, "Structural studies on GRK5: conformational mechanisms and pharmacology for potent and selective inhibition in the treatments for heart failure and cancer" on October 23^rd. Congratulations, Yueyi!!

July 2024

Our undergrads are shining!

Katie (top) presented her poster well at the annual "Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium", and Nikki (bottom) wrapped up her REU internship with a winning presentation.

Ending 2023 with a bang!

Tesmer lab wraps up 2023 with three new publications from (left to right) Chun, Yu-Chen, and Yueyi!

Check out these publications on PI3K, adenylyl cyclase, and GRK5. Also, look out for Chun's and Yu-Chen's publications to be printed in Nature Structure and Molecular Biology.

March 2022

March 05

Congrats to Dr. Sandeep Ravala for winning the outstanding talk award at the 2022 Structural Biology & Biophysics Club Symposium!

January 2022

January 31

One award is good!

Two awards are better!

How about three awards within 3 months?

Congrats, Yu-Chen! Great job!

December 2021

December 16

Yueyi Chen presents her work at the Structural and Computational Biology and Biophysics (SCBB) Grad Student Fall Symposium. Great talk, Yueyi!

December 15

Another faculty member (star) is born. Congrats to Qiuyan for signing on at Indiana University School of Medicine! Fourth post-doc from the lab to get an academic position. We are very excited for you and you are going to be awesome!

November 2021

October was rich for events, but summer wasn’t quiet either. First Nature paper from the Tesmer lab was published in July. After 5 years of hard work (and 22 years after John set his eyes on the project) the first of its kind structure of the rhodopsin-rhodopsin kinase (GRK1) complex was solved by Dr. Qiuyan Chen. Congratulations to John, Qiuyan and all other contributors!

October 2021

October 26

Dr. John Tesmer gave a presentation “Cryo-Electron Microscopy of GPCR and G Protein Effector Complexes at Purdue” at the “A Celebration Honoring Professor Michael G. Rossmann” symposium.

October 23

Perfect day at the Exploration Acres Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Lots of fun with friends and families!

October 21

The annual Distinguished and Named Professorship Ceremony conducted at Purdue.

Congratulations to John Tesmer on officially becoming a Distinguished Professor!

October 21

We will be missing our rotation students Chang Ding, Priyanka Naik and Yu Jingmei. Two months of intense work in the lab are just finished! Great job!

October 16

Big congratulations to Dr. Chun-Liang Chen for winning the Target, Structures and Drugs (TSD) program trainee award at Purdue Cancer Research Day symposium for his poster!

June 2021

June 11

Our congratuations to John Tesmer, the Walther Professor in Cancer Structural Biology, who was ratified as distinguished professor by the Purdue University Board of Trustees!

May 2021

May 3

More good news! Congrats to Dr. Qiuyan Chen who was voted the winner of the ASPET Molecular Pharmacology Young Scientist Competition. As a reward she gets 2 years of service on the MP Executive Committee. :) Way to go Qiuyan!

Congratulations to Dr. Yu-Chen Yen for winning first place in the ASPET post-doctoral fellow poster competition in Molecular Pharmacology!! Beautiful poster and great work.

April 2021

April 21

Congrats to Dr. Yu-Chen Yen for breaking their CTSI PostDoc Challenge barrier! A first for our lab!

April 2

Congratulations to our newest American Heart Association (AHA) Fellows: Yueyi Chen (MCMP) and Dr. Chun-Liang Chen! We very much appreciate your efforts to help support our group and we are very proud!!!

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