Translating Membrane Geometry into Protein Functions
Official title: Translate Membrane Structure Into Protein Functions.
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11389254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the shapes of cell membranes guide protein actions, with a focus on autophagy-related proteins, to understand how membranes control important cellular processes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $428,255 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM156289-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with conditions involving autophagy or membrane biology may benefit from future therapies informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits are not expected during early basic research, but knowledge could enable future treatments.
What this research studies
This project explores how membrane shapes affect protein behavior, using innovative tools like spherical nanoparticle-supported lipid bilayers and membranes from cells in their native-like environment. It aims to uncover how specific membrane geometry is recognized and how it translates into protein function, particularly involving Atg3 and LC3 in autophagy. The work includes developing new methods to study geometry-sensitive molecules, hoping to reveal new targets for therapies related to cellular stress responses and cardiovascular health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Advances in understanding membrane-protein interactions could lead to new strategies for diseases where autophagy and membrane dynamics are implicated.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that membrane geometry strongly influences protein function, supporting the potential impact of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tian, Fang — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Tian, Fang
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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.