2023 Mechanisms of Membrane Transport GRC & GRS

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Abstract: The Mechanisms of Membrane Transport GRC has been running since 1966. The mission of this GRC is to advance the understanding of ion channels, transporters and ATP driven pumps at the structural, mechanistic and physiological levels. Membrane transport is fundamental to the physiology of all cells. The dysfunction of membrane transport proteins, including ion channels, transporters and pumps, is associated with numerous diseases affecting every organ system in the human body. In particular, these proteins are of critical importance in the brain where they mediate all aspects of neurotransmission, and in nerves where they propagate sensory stimuli such as pain. Even subtle dysfunction of these proteins due to mutations, regulatory changes or pathological conditions leads to devastating human diseases such as epilepsy, neurodegeneration, and addiction and mental disorders. A fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of membrane transporters paves pathways towards developing novel therapeutic strategies and increasing their utility as pharmacological targets. The 2023 GRC, subtitled “Unraveling the Mechanisms of Membrane Transport: Structure, Dynamics and Allosteric Regulation” aims to generate vigorous discussions with a specific emphasis on exploring rigorous mechanistic studies of membrane transport proteins within the context of their physiologic environments and in view of their specific roles in cells. The GRC also aims to provide an effective forum for promoting early-career and under-represented scientists, facilitating them in achieving their career goals in science. A Gordon Research Seminar, organized by graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, will run together with the GRC during the preceding two days. The 2023 GRS will serve to promote scientific research by junior attendees and to further NIH training priorities through discussions of career options and strategies, and of gender biases in academia.