Effective, long-lasting, non-addictive pain relief—it sounds too good to be true. But thanks to the imagination (and perseverance) of University at Buffalo neuroscientist/pharmacologist Arin Bhattacharjee, it may be just around the corner. Bhattacharjee, a self-proclaimed “dreamer,” has developed a novel approach to pain, both acute and chronic, that could get FDA approval in as soon as two years. In this episode of Driven to Discover, host Ellen Goldbaum talks to Bhattacharjee about his journey from wannabe soccer pro to impassioned scientist, the research that led to a new understanding of pain, and the small yet powerful peptide that could not only transform millions of lives but also help lead us out of the opioid epidemic.

Credits: 
Host: Ellen Goldbaum
Guest: Arin Bhattacharjee
Writer: Laura Silverman
Production and editing by UB Video Production Group 

Coming Feb. 3: Frank Scannapieco is a leading oral biologist whose research has transformed our understanding of how oral health impacts overall health. He discusses the role oral bacteria play in a wide range of diseases—including diabetes, pneumonia, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer—and outlines simple habits that can help keep your mouth, and your body, healthy.