Imagine a world where sight is restored, chronic pain no longer dominates lives, and the grip of depression is loosened—a world where the mysteries of the brain and body are no longer barriers to better health. Professor Kirill Martemyanov, Ph.D., neuroscience department chair at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, has dedicated his career to unraveling these mysteries.
Fueled by an insatiable curiosity for biology’s uncharted territories, his work bridges the divide between the unseen molecular world and its profound impact on human lives.
The Big Picture:
Martemyanov’s research journey begins with a simple yet powerful question: How do cells communicate? In every corner of our bodies, molecular machines send and receive signals that govern how we see, and how we feel and respond to the world around us. These intricate conversations are what make life itself possible.
When they go awry, the consequences can be devastating—leading to blindness, chronic pain, addiction, mental illness and other conditions.
In Focus: Depression, Pain, Addiction and Vision
For Martemyanov, the thrill lies in the discovery. His lab has uncovered surprising new insights into how many molecular systems work in the nervous system, shining a light on some of biology’s darkest corners. Take depression, for example: While millions of people struggle under its weight, much about the underlying biology remains unknown. Martemyanov’s team has identified hidden pathways in the brain that influence mood, opening the door to therapies that could offer hope where traditional treatments fall short.
Pain, too, has been a focus of his inquiry. Chronic pain and the opioid epidemic have created a public health crisis. Martemyanov has sought to better understand the body’s natural pain management systems as a way to overcome these crises. By decoding how certain proteins regulate opioid receptors, his research could lead to treatments that relieve pain without the risk of addiction. They also offer hope to people currently living with opioid substance use disorders.
The same curiosity drives his work in vision science. Blindness caused by rare genetic conditions has long been considered irreversible, but Martemyanov’s lab is changing that narrative. By mapping the molecular structures responsible for visual processing, he has laid groundwork for development of innovative treatments that could restore sight to those who have lost it.
These breakthroughs are not just academic exercises. They represent the profound commitment to translating discovery into action that is a hallmark of The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute and its faculty.
Reaching Patients:
As both a scientist and entrepreneur, Martemyanov ensures his findings don’t stay confined to the lab. Through several biotech ventures, he is advancing potential solutions to some of the most pressing medical challenges of our time—from developing non-addictive pain therapies to creating targeted treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Zooming In:
At the heart of Martemyanov’s research lies a family of proteins called GPCRs, which act as the body’s molecular gatekeepers. Short for G-protein coupled receptors, they cross the cell membrane to deliver biochemical signals into cells. While GPCRs may not be household names, these proteins influence nearly every aspect of our physiology, from how we perceive light to how our hearts beat. Remarkably, more than one-third of all FDA-approved drugs target GPCRs, yet many remain poorly understood. Martemyanov is determined to change that.
Inside the Lab:
Martemyanov’s approach combines cutting-edge techniques, from cryo-electron microscopy to AI-powered data analysis, to explore GPCR proteins at every level—from their atomic structures to their interactions. This comprehensive view allows his team to uncover new functions, identify druggable targets, and design therapies with unprecedented precision.
Consider his pioneering discovery of the new receptor for the neurotransmitter glycine, or mGlyR, and its implication for depression. By solving the receptor’s atomic structure, Martemyanov and team provided a blueprint for designing therapies that could precisely target this pathway. This work offers hope for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Potential therapies are already in the pipeline.
Similarly, his research on signaling mechanisms of a neurotransmitter receptor for glutamate, mGluR6, a protein crucial for visual signaling, has advanced understanding of congenital blindness, paving the way for potential cures.
Eye on the Future:
Martemyanov’s impact extends beyond his discoveries. He is a mentor to the next generation of scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment. His work exemplifies the power of basic science to drive real-world change, showing how curiosity and dedication can transform lives.
Martemyanov’s career is about more than science. It’s about hope—hope that through understanding the fundamental mechanisms of life, science can overcome challenges that seem insurmountable today. With every discovery, he moves us closer to a future where the mysteries of biology are no longer barriers, but pathways to a healthier world.
Content contributed by Patricia Izbicki, Ph.D.