How GLP-1 and GIP Receptors Map the Future of Metabolic Therapy |Dr. David Hodson | Celtarys | 177

What if you could actually see where your GPCR-targeted drug goes—inside the brain or pancreas, in real time? This episode unpacks how new imaging tools are transforming GLP-1 and GIP receptor research in metabolic disease, with long-tail impact for drug development, validation, and translational success. ⸻ Professor David Hodson is the Robert Turner Professor of Diabetic Medicine at the University of Oxford. Trained as a veterinary surgeon and now leading translational research into metabolic diseases, Hodson bridges the worlds of cellular imaging, pharmacology, and GPCR biology. His lab’s work—particularly on visualizing GLP-1 and GIP receptors in vivo—is reshaping how we approach drug targeting and receptor mapping in complex tissues. ⸻ What You’ll Learn / Key Topics • How fluorescent tools revealed where GLP-1 drugs actually bind in brain and pancreas • Why GPCR antibodies still fail—and what replaces them in live imaging • What surprised Hodson most about drug access and receptor signaling in vivo • How a “failed” photopharmacology project became a field-shaping breakthrough • Why drug rebound, lean mass loss, and side effects demand GPCR-based solutions • What’s next: personalized therapies vs. expanding the GPCR target map ⸻ Timestamps 00:00 | Intro — Dr. GPCR Podcast 01:40 | Prof. David Hodson Joins the Show 02:00 | From Vet School to Metabolic Research 04:20 | Why Physiology & Pharmacology Won Him Over 06:00 | Discovering Neuroendocrinology 08:40 | What Pulled Him into Type 2 Diabetes 10:30 | How GPCRs Shape Metabolic Health 12:50 | GLP-1, GIP & the Rise of Incretin Drugs 16:40 | Peptides as Drugs: Stability, Design & Delivery 18:55 | AI & Structure-Guided GPCR Discovery 20:05 | Cryo-EM + MD: Seeing GPCR Mechanism in Action 21:40 | Collaboration with Celtarys Research Begins 22:20 | Why Interdisciplinary Teams Win in Science 24:30 | The Origin of the JB Collaboration 26:50 | Chemical Tools That Reveal GPCR Biology 28:35 | Visualizing GLP-1R, GIPR & Tissue Localization 30:20 | Brain Penetration, Targeting & Drug Efficacy 32:00 | The GPCR Antibody Crisis 33:20 | Negative Data & Better Validation Standards 36:20 | Human Protein Atlas & GPCR Antibody Rigor 37:40 | The DBP Discovery: Alpha Cells Signal Differently 41:00 | Why Good Data Still Feels Like Magic 42:10 | Future of GPCR Therapies in Metabolic Disease 45:20 | Rebound Weight, Side Effects & Variability 47:00 | GPCRs as Addressable Targets for Drug Delivery 48:45 | Personalized Metabolic Medicine: What’s Possible? 52:15 | Using Human Genetics to Understand GPCR Function 52:28 | Career Advice for New Scientists 55:30 | Thriving Inside & Outside Academia 56:55 | Choosing the Right PI & Research Environment 57:25 | Final Thoughts with David Hodson 58:55 | Outro ⸻ Guest Link • https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/pr... ⸻ 🧠 Want more like this? Join the Dr. GPCR Premium Ecosystem to unlock exclusive episodes, practical toolkits, and early access to GPCR University content. 👉 https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/gpcr... _____ Join Terry’s Corner today! Visit https://www.terrykenakin.com for expert-led, on-demand pharmacology courses, and join us at the monthly AMAs with Dr. Terry Kenakin. _____ Get to know our Partner: 👉 Celtarys Research • Company Page: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/celt... • Press Release: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/post... • Celtarys News: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/gpcr... ______ Dr. GPCR is dedicated to fostering a collaborative ecosystem focused on GPCRs. By connecting researchers, sharing knowledge, and facilitating partnerships, the #DrGPCR Ecosystem provides resources to support advancements in GPCR drug discovery. The ecosystem encompasses a range of initiatives aimed at informing and engaging the scientific community, including courses, news updates, and networking opportunities. 🧭 Dr GPCR Links & Resources • Dr. GPCR Ecosystem: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/ • Membership & Pricing: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/univ... • Weekly News: https://www.ecosystem.drgpcr.com/gpcr...