Peng Yuan, PhD

Selective transport of ions, nutrients, and folded proteins across cell membranes, mediated by membrane transport proteins, is a fundamental biological process. We are interested in understanding molecular mechanisms of membrane transport proteins such as ion channels and transporters that play essential roles in physiology and disease. How do ion channels and transporters recognize their specific substrate ions? How do channels open and close their ion conduction pores in response to environmental cues and cellular stimuli such as chemicals, temperature, membrane voltage and mechanical force? To answer these fundamental questions, my lab uses multidisciplinary approaches including electrophysiology, biochemical and biophysical assays, and structural biology. Dysfunction of these membrane proteins leads to a wide range of diseases, including asthma, hypertension, cancer, heart failure, diabetes and chronic pain. Our goal is to advance our understanding of structure and function of these essential membrane proteins at the atomic level.