Several complementary approaches will be utilized to study the function of orphan nuclear receptors. These include:

1.  Receptor Biochemistry - Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying hormone-dependent receptor activation.

 





2.  Ligand Identification - Natural and synthetic ligands will be identified by chemical fractionation, HPLC and high-throughput screening.

3.  Receptor Physiology - The in vivo physiology of these receptors will be dissected using gene knockout and transgenic technology.