Understanding how lipids shape membrane proteins
Official title: Understanding the role of lipids in structure and function of membrane proteins
Funded at Texas A&m University · NIH-11393924 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientific project aims to reveal how lipid molecules in the cell membrane influence the structure and function of membrane proteins, which could improve our understanding of brain and heart cell biology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,478,714 |
| NIH project number | 5RM1GM145416-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393924 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with conditions related to membrane protein function in brain or cardiovascular systems could ultimately benefit from clearer therapeutic avenues.
✕Less likely to help
The research itself does not involve patients or direct clinical testing at this stage.
What this research studies
This grant tackles a fundamental question about how the lipid environment around membrane proteins affects their behavior. Researchers will develop new methods that combine lipid profiling with native mass spectrometry to identify which lipids bind to specific proteins. By studying the chemistry of lipids and how tail length, stereochemistry, and double-bond positions matter, the work could uncover mechanisms relevant to brain and cardiovascular biology. The project is designed to translate basic lipid–protein insights into a clearer picture of membrane protein function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better targets and strategies for treating diseases where membrane proteins and lipids play a role.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that specific lipids can influence membrane protein behavior, supporting the potential value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laganowsky, Arthur D — Texas A&m University
- Study coordinator: Laganowsky, Arthur D
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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.