Welcome to the Jones Lab

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We are a research group based at the Imperial Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction that works on metabolic G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling.

GPCRs play a multitude of roles in controlling physiology and are the largest family of targets for approved and investigational drugs. Our laboratory is focussed primarily on GPCRs with roles in metabolic regulation, particularly the control of appetite, energy utilisation, and circulating metabolites such as glucose and lipids.

We are particularly interested in understanding the links between ligand structure, intracellular signalling, trafficking, and physiological responses. We have a particular interest in “biased agonism”, i.e. alterations to signalling profiles induced by specialised ligands or receptor mutations. Application of this approach to the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) has helped to elucidate the mechanism of action of the latest generation of GLP-1R agonists such as tirzepatide, orforglipron and MET-097, and we are currently aiming to extend biased agonism to other therapeutically tractable receptors.

The lab uses a combination of techniques including ligand design, receptor engineering, in vitro signalling assays using immortalised and primary cell types, high throughput and high-resolution microscopy, and in vivo pharmacology and disease modelling. We are closely aligned with the gut hormone drug discovery group, allowing us implement these approaches in a therapeutic context.

If you are interested in joining the group as a student or postdoc, please (contact us.)