Assistant Professor in Medicine at Duke Department of Medicine, Cardiology
As of 2021 · Last known relationship
Alem W. Kahsai is a Duke assistant professor in medicine and cardiology whose research examines how β-arrestins and other GPCR signaling proteins shape disease-relevant cellular responses. Described as a medicinal and chemical biologist, he studies connections between β-arrestin signaling, cardiovascular disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, receptor structure, and drug discovery. His recent work includes studies of small-molecule β-arrestin modulation, dopamine D1 receptor ligands, β-arrestin-mediated Src activation, and GPCR allostery. Kahsai earned his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 2008, where his dissertation investigated the cell-migration inhibitor DX-52-1. In 2021, he received the Duke Cardiovascular Research Center’s Headley Family Award. He was also a co-first author on a β-arrestin study described as the product of more than a decade of work.
Co-first author on a β-arrestin study described as the result of more than a decade of work
Described as a medicinal and chemical biologist
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Training includes Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut, completed January 2008, Completed a Ph.D. dissertation titled “Mechanism of action of the cell migration inhibitor quinocarmycin analog DX-52-1” at University of Connecticut, and Assistant Professor in Medicine at Duke Department of Medicine, Cardiology.
Explore education and training2028
2027
2021
As of 2008
As of 2008
As of 2021
Publication: “A positive allosteric modulator of the β1AR with antagonist activity for catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.” J Clin Invest 135, no. 24 (December 15, 2025).[9]
2025
Publication: “Biased Allosteric Modulation in GPCR Drug Discovery.” Handb Exp Pharmacol 290 (2026): 237–59.[9]
2026
Publication: “Mechanism of beta-arrestin 1 mediated Src activation via Src SH3 domain revealed by cryo-electron microscopy.” Nat Commun 17, no. 1 (February 20, 2026).[9]
2026
Publication: “Role of the V2R-βarrestin-Gβγ complex in promoting G protein translocation to endosomes.” Commun Biol 7, no. 1 (July 7, 2024): 826.[9]
2024
Publication: “Signal transduction at GPCRs: Allosteric activation of the ERK MAPK by β-arrestin.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 120, no. 43 (October 24, 2023): e2303794120.[9]
2023
Publication: “Small-molecule modulation of β-arrestins.” Nature 656, no. 8128 (August 2026): 770–79.[9]
2026
Publication: “Structure-guided discovery of non-catechol dopamine D1 receptor ligands with biased agonism and antagonism.” J Biol Chem 302, no. 6 (June 2026): 113076.[9]
2026
Publication: “Targeting the host factor HGS-viral membrane protein interaction in coronavirus infection.” J Clin Invest 136, no. 5 (March 2, 2026).[9]
2026
Research on the roles of β-arrestins in Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disorders[11]