Structural biology of integral membrane transport proteins.
Primary focus of the lab is to understand transport processes across membrane through structural studies on a specialized set of molecules called secondary active transporters. Grouped within the solute carrier family (SLC), these transporters drive substrate transport using ionic gradients across membranes. They are responsible for fundamental processes ranging from sugar/metabolite transport, neurotransmitter uptake to antibiotic efflux. Consequently, they are attractive targets to control or regulate the ability of cells or organelles to import or export physiologically important molecules.
We intend to study ion-coupled membrane transporters with substantial biomedical and pharmacological interest to understand their mechanism and device strategies to control their activity.
Primary focus of the lab is to understand transport processes across membrane through structural studies on a specialized set of molecules called secondary active transporters. Grouped within the solute carrier family (SLC), these transporters drive substrate transport using ionic gradients across membranes. They are responsible for fundamental processes ranging from sugar/metabolite transport, neurotransmitter uptake to antibiotic efflux. Consequently, they are attractive targets to control or regulate the ability of cells or organelles to import or export physiologically important molecules.
We intend to study ion-coupled membrane transporters with substantial biomedical and pharmacological interest to understand their mechanism and device strategies to control their activity.