Structure, function, and pharmacology of neuronal membrane transport proteins

Duke University, Durham NC

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Abstract

Project Summary Membrane transport proteins are responsible for the passage of key molecules and the transfer of information across cell membranes, which are events central to many important neurobiological processes. They are designed to selectively recognize a variety of substrates of differing sizes and physicochemical properties for cellular transport. My overarching research goals are to understand the design principles of neuronal membrane transport proteins that are involved in pain and/or itch sensation and transmission, to develop pharmacological tools to modulate their function, and to apply the information gained from this research to exploit their therapeutic potential using a multidisciplinary approach including structural biology, electrophysiology, and pharmacology.