SMALP network  
SMALP Membrane Protein Conference

Membrane Protein Conference on June 24

The Membrane Protein Conference on June 24, 2025 included nine 20 minute talks covering the latest findings about native membrane structure and function and new concepts and polymer systems for purification, immobilization and analysis of native membranes.

Conference Evaluation

Program and Videos:

8:45 am CET Introductions, questions, tips & tricks: Feel free to introduce yourself briefly, ask questions or offer advice on methods, share news and job postings.

Session 1 chaired by Rebecca Murray, PhD student, Coventry U./Stellenbosch U.

Michelle Farrelly9:00 Michelle Farrelly, PhD from Monash U (Chemistry) with San Thang, publishing on tethering RAFT-synthesised SMA polymers on gold surfaces in ChemPlusChem.

rc9:20 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.

Michael-Phillip Smith9:40 Michael-Phillip Smith, PhD student with Bert Klumperman, Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch U on RAFT-mediated synthesis of SMA 2:1.

Session 2 chaired by Johanna Syrjänen, PI, Institute of Biotechnology, U. of Helsinki

Li Wan10:05 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.

Surabhi-Kokane10:25 Surabhi Kokane, PhD student with David Drew, Stockholm U, who recently published PIP2-mediated oligomerization of the endosomal sodium/proton exchanger NHE9 in Nature Commun.

ug10:45 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.

Session 3 chaired by Naomi Pollock, Lecturer, School of Biosciences, Aston U.

11:10 Eamonn Reading, Associate Professor, University of Southampton on the molecular basis for multidrug efflux by the anaerobic RND transporter MdtF.

fg11:30 Frank Bernhard, PI, Goethe U Frankfurt on Cell-free expression platform for generating membrane protein/nanoparticle structures; recently published Cryo-EM structure of a cell-free synthesized full-length human β1-adrenergic receptor in complex with Gs on bioRxiv

michael overduin11:50 Michael Overduin, Professor, U Alberta on the language of lipids and proteins and improved SMA derivatives for native nanodiscs

12:10 - 12:20 Closing discussions; poll results on next meeting date & speaker award


Meetings

20th International Workshop on Plant Membrane Biology in Elsinore, Denmark from August 18-22

Roles and regulation of protein lipidation in health and disease meeting in Oxford from August 27-29

Membrane Contact Sites in Cellular Homeostasis meeting in Chepstow, Wales from Sept 28-30

Controlled Radical Polymerisation Conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa from Nov 9-12, 2025, and a SMALP/Membrane Protein Conference may be organized in Stellenbosch or Kruger National Park in Nov 2026. Sponsors: contact Gestél Kuyler

APPICOM plenary meeting with speakers including Anne Goupil, Hugues Nury, Christine Gourier, Christophe Ramseyer, Emmanuelle Bayer, Gregory Durand, Ludger Johannes, Manuel Rojo, Morgane Callon, Nicolas Floquet, Sophie Combet, Vincent Chaptal in Dourdan, France from Nov 17-19

Membrane Protein Meeting organized by the Biochemical Society in Birmingham, UK from April 7-9, 2026.


Speaker Awards

Sponsored by Nanosene. Our previous winners:


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.

SMA polymer

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.

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.