• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation | OMRF

OMRF is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to discoveries that make a difference.

  • About
    • General Information
    • Disease Research
    • Education & Outreach
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • Contact Us
  • Science
    • Scientist Directory
    • Research Programs
    • Research Centers
    • Core Facilities
    • Scientific Publications
    • Scientific Seminars
    • Technology Ventures
  • News
    • Media Resources
    • OMRF in the Media
    • OMRF News
    • OMRF Publications
    • OMRF Videos
    • Dr. Prescott’s Columns
  • Patients
    • Lupus (SLE)
    • MBTPS1 Related Disorders
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sarcoidosis
    • Sjögren’s Syndrome
    • Other Autoimmune Disorders
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Tax Credit
    • Planned Giving
    • Vehicle Donations
    • Why We Give
    • Your Gift at Work
    • Donor Recognition
    • Contact
  • Research
  • Education
  • Publications
  • Contact
Home - Science - Scientist Directory - Dominguez-Lopez, Sergio

Sergio Dominguez Lopez, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Member
Aging & Metabolism Research Program

Research

Our research goal is to understand how abused drugs alter brain circuitry to develop addictive behavior. The neurotransmitter dopamine is essential to abused drugs' addictive properties and the persistent motivation for drug-seeking. However, chronic exposure to highly addictive drugs such as methamphetamine also produced neurodegeneration of dopamine circuitry. Our preliminary data indicate that this derives from increased oxidative stress with chronic methamphetamine exposure.

In our experiments, we apply new technology for genetic fluorescence tagging of active neuronal populations and single-cell genetics. This approach allows us to determine the molecular profile of dopamine neurons than can be resistant or vulnerable to methamphetamine-induced oxidative stress. In addition, we are tracking the progressive changes in mitochondrial oxidative function, axonal degeneration, and dopamine neuron survival, to understand the time course and severity of metabolic and cellular damage occurring in these identified neurons. In summary, our research aims to identify the anatomical location, the metabolic and genetic traits of dopamine circuits encoding addictive behaviors.

In the long-term, using this cell to system approach, our research will contribute valuable knowledge to identify molecular targets to develop next-generation therapeutics to offer a healthier life quality for those fighting drug addictions.

Education

Ph.D., Neuroscience, McGill University, Canada, 2014
M.Sc., Neuroethology, University of Veracruz, Mexico, 2006
B.Sc., Chemical-Pharmaceutical-Biology, University of Veracruz, Mexico, 2003

Joined OMRF Scientific Staff in 2020

Publications

Recent Publications

Howell RD, Dominguez-Lopez S, Ocañas SR, Freeman WM, Beckstead MJ. Female mice are resilient to age-related decline of substantia nigra dopamine neuron firing parameters. Neurobiol Aging 95:195-204, 2020 August, PMID: 32846275, PMCID: PMC7606778

Dominguez-Lopez S, Sharma R, Beckstead MJ. Neurotensin receptor 1 deletion decreases methamphetamine self-administration and the associated reduction in dopamine cell firing. Addict Biol:e12854, 2019 November, PMID: 31742874

Dominguez-Lopez S, Piccart E, Lynch WB, Wollet MB, Sharpe AL, Beckstead MJ. Antagonism of Neurotensin Receptors in the Ventral Tegmental Area Decreases Methamphetamine Self-Administration and Methamphetamine Seeking in Mice. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 21:361-370, 2018 April, PMID: 29272412, PMCID: PMC5888879

Dominguez-Lopez S, Sharma R, Beckstead MJ. Neurotensin receptor 1 deletion decreases methamphetamine self-administration and the associated reduction in dopamine cell firing. Addict Biol:e12854, 2019 November, PMID: 31742874

Dominguez-Lopez S, Piccart E, Lynch WB, Wollet MB, Sharpe AL, Beckstead MJ. Antagonism of Neurotensin Receptors in the Ventral Tegmental Area Decreases Methamphetamine Self-Administration and Methamphetamine Seeking in Mice. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018 Apr 1;21(4):361-370. PMID: 29272412

McCall NM, Kotecki L, Dominguez-Lopez S, Marron Fernandez de Velasco E, Carlblom N, Sharpe AL, Beckstead MJ, Wickman K. Selective Ablation of GIRK Channels in Dopamine Neurons Alters Behavioral Effects of Cocaine in Mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017 Feb;42(3):707-715. PMID: 27468917

Domínguez-López S, Howell RD, López-Canúl MG, Leyton M, Gobbi G. Electrophysiological characterization of dopamine neuronal activity in the ventral tegmental area across the light-dark cycle. Synapse 2014 Oct;68(10):454-67. PMID: 24955825

Domínguez-López S, Mahar I, Bambico FR, Labonté B, Ochoa-Sánchez R, Leyton M, Gobbi G. Short-term effects of melatonin and pinealectomy on serotonergic neuronal activity across the light-dark cycle. J Psychopharmacol 2012 Jun;26(6):830-44. PMID: 21730015

Domínguez-López S, Howell R, Gobbi G. Characterization of serotonin neurotransmission in knockout mice: implications for major depression. Rev Neurosci 2012;23(4):429-43. PMID: 23089640. Review

Contact

Aging & Metabolism Research Program, MS 21
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (405) 271-7574
Fax: (405) 271-1437
E-mail: Sergio-dominguezlopez@omrf.org

 

Before Footer

EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled

Footer

  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • Donor Privacy Statement
  • Intranet
Charity navigator
United Way Give Smart OKC
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Mail Linkedin
Administrator Log In