1. Inflammatory Effects of Drugs of Abuse

A major focus of the lab is characterizing how various drugs of abuse modulate inflammatory pathways—an area with significant gaps in current scientific knowledge. The research explores the immunological and physiological impact of a range of substances, including:

• Alcohol and caffeine

• Opioids

• CBD and delta-9 THC

• Psilocybin and Salvinorin A

• Xylazine

• Tianeptine and emerging drugs of abuse

The goal is to determine both inflammatory risk profiles and therapeutic implications across substances known to be common in community and clinical settings.

2. Drug Screening Using the Galleria mellonella Model

The Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) model is used to study drug toxicity, infection response, and immunomodulation in a cost-effective and biologically informative system. This organism allows researchers to observe:

• Physiological responses to drug exposure

• Behavioral changes associated with inflammation or toxicity

• Immune activation and suppression patterns

This model provides a valuable bridge between in vitro findings and vertebrate studies.

3. Evaluating Therapeutic Potential of Repurposed Compounds

The lab investigates established or naturally occurring compounds that may counter harmful drug-induced effects or support cellular protection. Current compounds of interest include:

• Sulforaphane, known for activating Nrf2-mediated detoxification pathways

• Cannabidiol (CBD), recognized for anti-inflammatory properties

• Naltrexone, an FDA-approved mu-opioid receptor antagonist with potential beyond alcohol use disorder

These studies explore mechanisms of cytoprotection, anti-inflammatory activity, and broader therapeutic applications.

4. Mechanisms of Psychedelics in Neurodegenerative Disease

Research in this area examines how compounds such as psilocybin and its active metabolite psilocin influence pathways related to:

• Synaptic plasticity

• Neuroprotection

• Neuronal health

Given the limited effectiveness of current treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, this work aims to identify novel mechanisms that could inspire more effective therapeutic strategies.

5. Immunophenotyping in Substance Use Disorders and Disease

This project focuses on defining drug-specific immune profiles in both rodent and human blood samples. The research investigates immune changes associated with:

• Opioid dependence and withdrawal

• Acute and chronic drug exposure

• Poly-drug use

• Infectious disease

• Select rare cancers

The aim is to clarify how immune compensation, dysregulation, and disease progression vary across drug exposures.

Technical Expertise & Methods

The Jimenez Lab employs a wide range of molecular and immunological techniques, including:

• qPCR

• Western blotting

• ELISA

• Cell culture

• Flow cytometry

• Rodent and invertebrate model systems

These methods support detailed mechanistic studies and translational discoveries across all research areas.