Dr. Mortensen is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Research in the A. Mortensen lab focuses on understanding mechanisms that regulate glutamate transporters, crucial proteins in the central nervous system (CNS) that modulate excitatory transmission. Our projects include basic research programs to further our knowledge of glutamate transporters regulation in physiological and disease states, and translational projects involving the development of small molecule allosteric modulators of these transporters. We use cell culture techniques, mutagenesis approaches, primary cultures of neurons and glia, pharmacology, in vitro models of stroke and epilepsy, and in vivo models of neuropathic pain and cocaine abuse disorder. We also collaborate with other labs to develop computational modelling, crystallography, and Cryo-EM approaches as well as medicinal chemistry to progress the development of our allosteric modulators to the clinic.