Garo P. Basmadjian , Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Research Summary
Research Interests
Design, synthesis and animal evaluation of novel radiopharmaceuticals labeled with positron emitting radioisotopes like C-11 and F-18. The main purpose for these radiopharmaceuticals will be their use for human Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies in oncology, cardiology and neurology.
To identify therapeutic agents for nervous system disorders including cognitive and attention disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease and nicotine addiction among the class of selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists.
Phytomedicinals, Nutraceuticals, Herbal Medicine, Natural Products Chemistry. The design of extraction protocols of natural herbs and drugs and the HPLC analysis of herbal drugs and mixtures to identify active constituents.
Education & Experience
- Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry - Natural Products Chemistry, Purdue University, Indiana, 1970
- M.S. in Pharmacognosy, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, 1967
- B.S. in Pharmacy (with Distinction), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, 1965
- Postdoctoral Fellow (Research Associate), College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (with Dr. Ara Paul), 1970-1972
- Postdoctoral Scholar, Nuclear Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, (with Drs. R.D. Ice & R.E. Counsell), 1973-1975
- Senior Radiopharmaceutical Scientist, In-vivo Section; Abbott Diagnostic Division, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, 1975-1976
Selected Publications & Presentations
- Garrett, KM, Basmadjian G, Khan IA, Seale TW. Extracts of kava (Piper methysticum) induce acute anxiolytic-like behavioral changes in mice. Psychopharmacology 170, 33-41, 2003.
- El-moselhy TF, Avor KS, Basmadjian GP. Synthesis and dopamine transporter binding of 2'-isopropyl ester analogs of cocaine. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 37, 171-176, 2002.
- El-Moselhy TF, Avor KS, Basmadjian GP. 2’-Substituted analogs of cocaine: synthesis and dopamine transporter binding potencies. Arch. Pharm. Pharm. Med. Chem. 334, 275-278, 2001
- El-moselhy TF, Avor KS, Basmadjian GP. Synthesis and dopamine transporter binding of 2’-substituted cocaine analogs. Med. Chem. Research 10/1, 50-57, 2000.
- Singh S, Avor KS, Pouw B, Seale TW, Basmadjian GP. Design and synthesis of isoxazole containing bioisosteres of epibatidine as potent nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1999 Oct;47(10):1501-5
Current Grants Awarded
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5/1/2005 - 6/30/2008 Greensboro Foundation - Automated synthesis of F-18 thymidine analogs for the use in PET imaging