Membrane transport proteins are responsible for the transport of key molecules and transfer of information across cell membranes, events that are 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 membrane transport proteins that allow for their selective transport, to develop pharmacological tools to modulate their function, and to utilize the knowledge gained to exploit their therapeutic potentials.

Public Health Relevance

Current treatments for debilitating chronic pain and itch conditions are limited. Our proposed structural, mechanistic, and pharmacological studies of neuronal membrane transport proteins will set a cornerstone for the future development of therapeutics to treat pain and/or itch-related disease conditions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Unknown (R35)
Project #
5R35NS097241-04
Application #
9761604
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1)
Program Officer
Mohapatra, Durga Prasanna
Project Start
2016-09-01
Project End
2024-08-31
Budget Start
2019-09-01
Budget End
2020-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
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