What are Membrane Proteins?

The structure of photosystem II, solved by So Iwata, Jim Barber and colleagues at Imperial College London.

Cell membranes play a vital role in cell functioning, creating a protective layer between the interior of the cell and the external environment and providing a mechanism for the cell to detect what is happening in its surroundings and respond to any changes. Membrane proteins gather information about the cell's environment, and tell the cell what changes need to be made.

Why are Membrane Proteins important?

This interaction between cells and the environment play a vital role in human biology. Membrane proteins perform a wide range of functions, including respiration, signal transduction and molecular transport. In addition, over 50% of commercially available drugs, such as antihistamines, beta blockers and morphine target membrane proteins. This makes them a vital area of study for researchers wanting to gain a better understanding of how these drugs interact with the human body, and thus look at ways to improve their functioning and reduce the possibility of harmful side effects.

What does the Membrane Protein Laboratory do?

Membrane proteins are very hard to study. Traditional techniques for examining proteins require them to be grown into crystals and then frozen. However, membrane protein crystals are very hard to grow, and are fragile and often break before they can be studied. The membrane protein laboratory will investigate new techniques for growing and handling these delicate proteins. These will then be examined using the high intensity X-rays produced by the Diamond Light Source. Because the laboratory is located at Diamond Light Source, it will also eliminate the problem of crystals having to be transported for investigation. It is hoped that the expertise gained at the Membrane Protein Laboratory will be exported, so that researchers across the world can use the knowledge gained to improve their own techniques for growing and handling membrane proteins and advance this vital field of study further.