Membrane Protein Conference on June 24, 2025
The next Membrane Protein Conference will be held by zoom on June 24, 2025 from 9am - 12pm CET with the video-taped talks being available to registrants a day afterwards. The program include a series of about nine 20 minute talks covering the latest discoveries on native membranes including lipid-protein complex structures and functions, new tools and methods for stabilization, purification, immobilization and analysis of native membrane zones, computational modeling of membrane assemblies and cell biological insights into trafficking and targeting.
The speakers sharing their latest results and methods include:
Eamonn Reading, Associate Professor, University of Southampton on the molecular basis for multidrug efflux by the anaerobic RND transporter MdtF.
Umut Günsel, Postdoctoral Researcher with Franz Hagn, Helmholtz Center Munich , who published on the structural basis of apoptosis induction by the mitochondrial voltage dependent anion channel on bioRxiv.
Rosa Catania, Research Fellow, Membrane Protein Biotechnology with Paul Beales at U Leeds, who recently published solid-supported polymer–lipid hybrid membrane for bioelectrochemistry of a membrane redox enzyme in RSC Appl Interfaces.
Surabhi Rajendra Kokane, PhD student with David Drew, Stockholm U, who recently published PIP2-mediated oligomerization of the endosomal sodium/proton exchanger NHE9 in Nature Commun.
Li Wan, Research Associate with Jianping Wu, Westlake U, School of Life Science who recently published the structure and assembly of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex in Nature.
Michelle Farrelly, PhD from Monash U (Chemistry) with San Thang, publishing on tethering RAFT-synthesised SMA polymers on gold surfaces in ChemPlusChem.
Michael-Phillip Smith, PhD student with Bert Klumperman, Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch U on RAFT-mediated synthesis of SMA 2:1.
Michael Overduin, Professor, U Alberta on the development of zwitterionic, fluorescent alternating SMA derivatives for larger, unbiased nanodiscs & the language of mingling lipids and proteins.
Register from 10 euros per person here:
Background on SMALP
The SMALP network is an open forum initiated by the international research community. We are developing and using amphipathic copolymers as alternatives to conventional detergents, which tend to dissociate, destabilize and deactivate native membrane proteins.
A variety of amphipathic polymers such as styrene maleic acid have been found to directly and spontaneously solubilize proteins and bound lipids from membranes when activated. This provides opportunities for understanding and exploiting the structure and function of native membrane protein complexes.
As SMALP technology is relatively new, the participation of the wider community and sharing of new ideas and practices amongst researchers is the best way to ensure continued rapid development of the field.
Join our network and come to our meetings to discover how SMALP materials and methods could be used in your research.
The SMALP network offers polymers, methods and meetings to support the growing community of scientists and companies interested in the preparation of membrane nanodiscs formed by polymers including styrene maleic acid for biological research and drug discovery applications.
Register for a day of insightful talks from experts in the structural biology and functions of membrane proteins and nanodisc development, discussions with academic and industry leaders, and enjoy breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks on us.
These events are offered to bring together academic and industry experts, postdocs and students who are interested in membrane protein structural biology, lipidomics, proteomics, target discovery and biophysical analysis of bilayers and amphipathic polymers.
We welcome researchers from across academia and industry to join us in lively discussions and debate about the latest advances in native nanodiscs, membrane proteins, polymer chemistry, lipid biophysics, structural biology, and applications including drug discovery and delivery.