Brain Barrier Research Center: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Advancing Brain Barriers Research William Elmquist, John Ohlfest, Lester Drewes, et al. University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Medical School Targeted drug delivery to the CNS Drug transport proteins Pharmacokinetics Decisions limited by available data at specific sites input Mission output bolus IC, CED exchange neuronal and glial cell mem- branes The mission of the Brain Barriers Research Center (BBRC) is to improve therapy delivery and treatments of brain disorders by fostering interdisciplinary brain barrier research. brain capillaries extra- cellular fluid intracellular fluid IV plasma choroid plexus arachnoid membrane ependyma pia mater ICV, IT cerebrospinal fluid Compartmental model for solute exchange in the brain MCT1 and GLUT1 transporter regulation BBB molecular biology Brain vasculogenesis The Brain Barriers Research Center (BBRC) is a distinctive, cutting edge University of Minnesota research group involving members in the College Goals Basic Science to Clinical Practice Experimental Models Pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics High throughput screening/assay develop In situ brain profusion techniques In vitro to in vivo MRI/MRS to microdialysis Blood-brain transport quantification Expertise Role of BBB transporters in Alzheimer's disease BBB function in CNS disorders of Pharmacy and the Medical School in the Academic Health Center (Duluth and Twin Cities). Twenty-two faculty are involved in research ranging from genetic factors in hibernation to synthesis of neuroactive pharmaceutics. University Collaborative Resources Institute for Translational Neuroscience (www.itn.umn.edu) Center for Translational Medicine (www.ahc.umn.edu/ctm) Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (www.cmrr.umn.edu) Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development Epilepsy Stroke Brain tumor (glioblastoma, GBM) Alzheimers Disease CNS virus Parkinson’s Disease Glucose transporter deficiency syndrome Regulation of drug efflux transporters at the BBB Improving therapies for CNS diseases Current Projects Neurosurgery Gliomas Blood brain barrier modification  The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. BBRC Web Site: www.pharmacy.umn.edu/bbrc