Molecular Details of Membrane Protein Receptor Dynamics

2026-07-22

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins. They are involved in transducing stimuli and are implicated in many diseases including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, they are the target of ~40% of drugs on the market. Despite an extensive library of known binding partners, dynamics related to GPCR activation (and inactivation) are not fully understood. The proposal uses a hypothesis driven approach to address three interrelated objectives. Objective 1 aims to reveal the propensities for lipids to modulate ligand binding to GPCRs. Objective 2 seeks to understand the intra-molecular factors regulating GPCR and G-protein assembly and their connection with the lipid environment. Objective 3 targets GPCR assembly and binding in the context of a native membrane. This project will use fuse knowledge and tools from molecular biology (e.g. protein expression and mutation) and analytical chemistry (mass spectrometry (MS)) to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the molecular environment governing GPCR dynamics and assembly. The results of this project will contribute to our understanding of the influence of lipids on conformational dynamics to inform efforts to better understand off-target drug effects and drug tolerance. This information could in turn reveal novel GPCR conformations that facilitate state-selective structure-based drug discovery, with great implications for human health and quality of life. This proposal aligns with goals of the Marie Skłowdowska-Curie Fellowship: I will diversify my professional profile, which has focused on fundamental MS in the US, by gaining new competences in molecular and structural biology in Europe and thereby expand my personal and professional network through international mobility. The host laboratory is at the forefront of MS in structural biology and provides an excellent multidisciplinary training environment.

United Kingdom (UK)

2026-02-01