Introduction

This volume explores the considerable efforts that have been directed towards the development of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCR) screening assays in order to disclose GPCR acting compounds, elucidate signaling mechanisms or evaluate compound’s efficacy. New discoveries in the field, along with the widely recognized need for better and safer pharmaceutical drugs constitute the main motivation for this book. Readers, both beginners and experienced researchers, will receive an updated overview of not only the established, but also the innovative technologies that promise to advance GPCR drug research. This book is organized into two major parts: the introductory part discusses the necessary foundations for the understanding of GPCR action and the rationale behind the design of the available screening assays; and part two provides detailed protocols for different screening approaches. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, the chapters include the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results in the laboratory.