How essential membrane transport proteins work
Mechanistic studies of essential membrane transporters
This project looks at how key membrane transporter proteins move molecules in and out of cells to help guide future drugs for diseases linked to transporter problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11371034 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one have a disease linked to membrane transporter problems, this project aims to map how those proteins select and move their cargo and test molecules that might change their activity. Researchers will focus on human SLC transporters and related bacterial importers using biochemistry, structural biology, cell experiments, microbiology, molecular dynamics simulations, and biophysical methods. They will study which substrates the transporters accept, how unique structural features determine function, and screen for small molecules that inhibit or activate the transporters. The goal is foundational knowledge that could support future drug development targeting these proteins.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most likely to benefit from follow-up studies or future trials are those with conditions linked to SLC transporter mutations or dysfunction, or patients affected by infections related to bacterial transport systems.
Not a fit: Individuals with health problems unrelated to membrane transporter function or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new drug targets or lead to therapies that correct or modify transporter function in relevant diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Some previous drug efforts have targeted transport proteins successfully, but detailed mechanistic work on many human SLCs remains novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Hongjin — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Hongjin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.