This proposal from the University of Kentucky requests support toenhance the planning of a Science and Technology Center forMembrane Sciences. The proposed Center is planned as acollaborative effort, also involving the University of Louisvilleand the University of Cincinnati. The interdisciplinary researchwill involve participation by members of the Departments ofChemistry, Pharmacy, and the medical school. The goal of theCenter would be investigations into the structure and chemistryof biological membranes and their constituents, transportprocesses, and information transfer in living systems. Understanding the means and mechanisms by which cellulartransmembrane signal transduction occurs is one of the majorresearch thrusts of modern biological chemistry. The Planning Grant activity will enable three institutions tobegin a systematic inventory of existing research capabilitiesand resources. This will allow for the identification of areasof potential collaboration and, ultimately, the primaryscientific thrust areas for the Center for Membrane Science.
