3rd German workshop on structural predictions of membrane proteins: From ion channels to G protein-coupled receptors

February 26–27, 2024

Venue: INM-seminar, building 15.9, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven transmembrane proteins involved in signal transduction across the cell membrane. Ion channels are membrane-bound enzymes whose catalytic sites are ion-conducting pores that open and close (gate) in response to specific environmental stimuli. Ion channels are key contributors to cell signalling and homeostasis. Due to their physiological and pathological relevance, their expression in the plasma membrane, which facilitates molecular interactions in the extracellular milieu, and defined binding sites, GPCRs and ion channels are highly druggable targets. Indeed, these proteins constitute ~40% of drug targets, yet rational drug design requires structural information. Computational methods combined with experimental techniques can reveal major aspects of the structural basis of ligand binding and protein function. Molecular simulations can furthermore assist in the drug design process. By gathering together top-level German Researchers in the field, this meeting, which is now at the third edition, will highlight current challenges and future perspectives in molecular simulation and bioinformatics approaches to be applied to GPCR and ion channel model structures. Theorists working on GPCRs and ion channels share similar computational challenges for modelling and simulations, some of which will be discussed at the workshop. Importantly, this year, the meeting is also extended to Swiss researchers in the field and it is enriched by a special session with experimentalists on “Membrane Structural Biology and Biophysics” to cover experimental mechanistic structural work related to membrane-associated proteins and their cellular processes.

We are really glad that the workshop is supported from the RTG2416 MultiSenses – MultiScales, which aims at understanding the mechanisms that govern crossmodal integration of sensory information at multiple scales.

Registration is free but required.

Invited Speakers

Program

Registration

Venue

The Organizers

Vittorio Limongelli (University of Lugano USI)
Antonella Di Pizio (Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology and Technical University of Munich)
Paolo Carloni (Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University)

The event is supported by