Understanding how membranes and lipids shape membrane proteins for better drugs
Official title: Unravelling Membrane Protein-Lipid Interactions using Nanodiscs and Mass Spectrometry
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11419643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the fat layer around membrane proteins changes their shape and function, using new lipid-exchange mass spectrometry on diverse targets like bacterial complexes, viral channels, and human transporters.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $426,688 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM128624-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing clinical trial; results may inform future therapies targeting membrane protein function in human diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation is not part of this grant.
What this research studies
This project aims to uncover how the lipid environment around membrane proteins influences their behavior, which is crucial for designing effective medicines. Researchers will develop new methods to map which lipids bind to specific membrane proteins using advanced nanodiscs and mass spectrometry. By testing a variety of targets from bacteria to humans, the work seeks to reveal general principles of protein–lipid interactions that affect function. The outcomes could guide future drug development by identifying lipid components that modulate protein activity. The effort combines innovative technology with broad biological questions to improve our understanding of disease-relevant proteins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could help identify lipid-related targets to modulate membrane protein behavior and aid in drug development for diseases involving membrane proteins.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have begun to map lipid effects on membrane proteins, but this project aims to advance methods and apply them to multiple targets, potentially expanding successful approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marty, Michael T — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Marty, Michael T
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.