Interrogating amino acid transport and organelle exchange

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Transport proteins are fundamental gate-keepers that control how nutrients and other molecules get into and out of cells. However, of the ~450 known cellular transporters, >30% are not well characterized. The long-term objective of my research program is to understand the physiological role of nutrient transporters; determining what they transport, where and how they localize within the cell, and how they support cellular metabolism. Crucial to this objective is the development of tools and methods to study transport, which has been a major challenge in studying transporter function. This will form the foundation for how my group and others study transporter biology in the future. The students in my lab will gain extensive experience using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and molecular biology techniques in addition to becoming independent scientists, effective communicators and project managers. These skills will promote their success in research-oriented careers in the natural sciences and engineering in Canada.