Loyola University Chicago

Torres Lab

We study dopamine transporter biology, synaptic signaling, and neurodegenerative mechanisms through molecular, cellular, behavioral, and translational approaches.

Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine

Explore Research Meet the Lab

Research Focus

The Torres Lab investigates how dopamine and monoamine transporters organize brain signaling, behavior, and vulnerability to disease.

Our work connects molecular pharmacology with models of addiction, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and the gut-brain axis.

Research overview

Primary Focus

Dopamine transporter structure, trafficking, oligomerization, and protein interaction networks.

Neuropharmacology

Mechanisms by which psychostimulants, GLP-1 signaling, and transporter modulators alter dopamine homeostasis.

Signaling

Regulation of DAT by G protein beta-gamma subunits, kinase pathways, lipid mediators, and synaptic scaffolds.

People

A collaborative training environment for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and visiting scientists.

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Gonzalo Torres, PhD

Professor and Chair; Principal Investigator

Sofia Alvarez

Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular Neuropharmacology

Mateo Chen

Postdoctoral Fellow, Neurodegeneration Models

Priya Raman

PhD Student, Neuroscience

Publications

Selected peer-reviewed work spanning monoamine transporter biology, dopamine signaling, addiction mechanisms, Parkinson's models, and scientific practice.

All Journal Articles Reviews Collaborations

Year	Type	Title	Authors	Journal	Links
2025	Collaboration	Ending publication bias: A values-based approach to surface null and negative results	Curry S., Mercado-Lara E., Arechavala-Gomeza V., et al.; Torres G.E.	PLOS Biology, 23(9), e3003368	PDF DOI
2021	Article	Dopamine transporter function fluctuates across sleep/wake state: potential impact for addiction	Alonso I.P., Pino J.A., Kortagere S., Torres G.E., Espana R.A.	Neuropsychopharmacology, 46, 699-708	PDF DOI
2020	Article	Alterations of the gut microbiota with antibiotics protects dopamine neuron loss and improve motor deficits in a pharmacological rodent model of Parkinson’s disease	Koutzoumis D.K., Vergara M., Pino J., Buddendorff J., Khoshbouei H., Mandel R.J., Torres G.E.	Experimental Neurology, 325, 113159	PDF DOI
2019	Article	G protein beta-gamma subunits play a critical role in the actions of amphetamine	Mauna J.C., Harris S.S., Pino J.A., Edwards C.M., et al.; Torres G.E.	Translational Psychiatry, 9, 81	PDF DOI
2018	Collaboration	Functional connectivity, behavioral and dopaminergic alterations 24 hours following acute exposure to synthetic bath salt drug methylenedioxypyrovalerone	Colon-Perez L.M., Pino J.A., Saha K., Khoshbouei H., Torres G.E., Febo M.	Neuropharmacology, 137, 178-193	PDF DOI
2007	Review	Glutamate and monoamine transporters: new visions of form and function	Torres G.E., Amara S.G.	Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 17(3), 304-312	PDF DOI
2003	Review	Plasma membrane monoamine transporters: structure, regulation and function	Torres G.E., Gainetdinov R.R., Caron M.G.	Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 4, 13-25	PDF DOI
2001	Article	Functional interaction between monoamine plasma membrane transporters and the synaptic PDZ domain-containing protein PICK1	Torres G.E., Yao W.D., Mohn A.R., Quan H., Kim K.M., Levey A.I., Staudinger J., Caron M.G.	Neuron, 30(1), 121-134	PDF DOI

News & Updates

Recent laboratory announcements, publications, awards, opportunities, and institutional updates.

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Grant Award March 12, 2025