Register for the Membrane Protein Conference 2025
You're invited to the Membrane Protein Conference on March 27, which is being held in partnership with the Biochemical Society. Ten 20 minute talks (including 5 minute Q&A) will cover membrane protein structure and function, new tools and technologies for stabilization, purification and analysis of native membranes, and computational modeling of membrane complexes and cell biological insights into assembly and targeting. Zoom links and videos of the presentation will be shared with registrants.
Schedule:
08:50 am MDT (10:50 ET, 14:50 BST): Tips & Tricks
Session 1: Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins, Chair: Gestél Kuyler
09:00 am Alexej Kedrov, Associate Professor, University of Düsseldorf on the assembly and gating mechanism of the Pel exopolysaccharide export complex PelBC of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
09:20 am Caner Akil, Postdoctoral Research Associate with Peijun Zhang, University of Oxford, on Unveiling the Complete Spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 Fusion Stages by In Situ Cryo-ET.
Session II: Tools for Stabilizing & Characterizing Membrane Proteins, Chair: Barry Bruce
09:40 am Philipp Hanish, Head of Laboratory, Cube Biotech will present Optimizing membrane protein characterization with NativeMP and Multiplexing Optical Methods
10:00 am Alice Rothnie, Reader, School of Biosciences, Aston University on novel polymers variants for membrane protein solubilisation and purification, including benzylamine-modified SMA polymers
10:20 Break
Session III: Memtein Solubilization, Structures and Targeting, Chair: Youzhong Guo
10:25 am Lauren Ball, Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stellenbosch University will present on the untapped potential of double hydrophilic block copolymers for the solubilization and surface immobilization of membrane proteins
10:45 am Frank Tucci, PhD student with Amy C. Rosenzweig Northwestern University, on the structures of methane and ammonia monooxygenases in native membranes in PNAS USA.
11:05 am Michael Fish, PhD Student with Matt Smith, Wilfrid Laurier University will present TOC159 Receptors & the Role of Galactolipids in Chloroplast Outer Membrane Targeting, and published a related manuscript in bioRxiv.
11:25 Break
Session IV: Structures & Interactions of Membrane Proteins, Chair: Manan Upadhyaya
11:30 Alireza Ghanbarpour, Assistant Professor, WashU, on an asymmetric nautilus-like HflK/C assembly controls FtsH proteolysis of membrane proteins, which is in press in EMBO J.
11:50 am Monica Gonzalez-Magaldi, Research Associate, The University of Texas at Austin: published the structure and organization of full-length Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in extracellular vesicles by cryo-electron tomography
12:10 pm Rituparna Samanta, Assistant Professor, University of South Florida: published Advancing Membrane-Associated Protein Docking with Improved Sampling and Scoring in Rosetta
12:30: Closing Discussions
Background on SMALP
The SMALP system is being developed by the international research community as an alternative to conventional detergents, which tend to dissociate, destabilize and deactivate native membrane proteins.
A variety of amphipathic polymers like styrene maleic anhydride 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.
Join our community.
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.