Antimicrobial peptide indolicidin induces hydrated, pore-like defects in membranes. Simulation snapshot of indolicidin (yellow) in the bilayer’s hydrophobic core (white), interacting with zwitterionic headgroups (brown) in both leaflets, drawing them inward and causing the influx of water (cyan). Image: Régis Pomès.
Biological membranes are complex and dynamic ensembles of lipids and proteins, which define the limits of cells and organelles and carry out a variety of specialized functions including energy transduction, communication, and cellular homeostasis.
The organization, targeting and assembly of membrane components are active areas of study in the Department. Organisms devote about 1/3 of their genomes to encode membrane proteins and mutations in these genes or alterations in their expression are often linked to disease. How these alterations affect membrane protein structure, function and biosynthesis is a very active area of investigation.
A key function of membranes is transport and a number of members of the Department are studying molecular aspects of membrane transport systems. A wide range of techniques, encompassing structural, molecular and cell biology, is employed in the study of membranes.
Faculty in the Department conducting research in this area:
Research in Cystic Fibrosis and Kidney Disease
The Bear LabThe Hospital for Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
686 Bay St.
Dr. Christine E. Bear
416-813-5981 bear@sickkids.ca
Peptide and Protein Structure in Membranes: From Folding to Drug Discovery
Deber labResearch Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children
Molecular Structure & Function
PGCRL, Room 20.9712
686 Bay Street
Dr. Charles M. Deber
416-813-5924 deber@sickkids.ca
Transmembrane Signaling by GPCRs
Ernst LabMSB, Room 5316A
1 King's College Circle
Dr. Oliver P. Ernst
416-978-3849 oliver.ernst@utoronto.ca
SickKids Research Institute
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
686 Bay Street
Room 18.9709
Dr. Spencer A. Freeman
416-813-7654, ext. 309267 spencer.freeman@sickkids.ca
Membrane Biology, Ion Transport, and the Innate Immune Response
Grinstein Lab555 University Ave.
Dr. Sergio Grinstein
416-813-5727 sergio.grinstein@sickkids.ca
Microbial Biofilm Formation: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutics
Howell LabThe Hospital for Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL)
Room 20-9715
686 Bay Street
Dr. P. Lynne Howell
416-813-5378 howell@sickkids.ca
Blood Coagulation in Health and Disease
Kahr labThe Hospital for Sick Children
PGCRL, Rm 19.9714
686 Bay Street
Dr. Walter H.A. Kahr
416-813-7977 walter.kahr@sickkids.ca
The cytoskeleton as a cell fate-determining device
Kapus LabKeenan Centre for Biomedical Research
209 Victoria Street, Room 621
Dr. Andras Kapus
416-847-1751 KapusA@smh.ca
Mechanisms of Organelle Maintenance
Kim LabThe Hospital for Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
686 Bay Street, Rm. 19.9708
Dr. Peter K. Kim
416-813-5983 pkim@sickkids.ca
Cellular and biochemical basis of insulin action and insulin resistance: focus on glucose transport
Amira Klip LabThe Hospital for Sick Children
686 Bay Street Room 19.9-709
Dr. Amira Klip
416-813-6392 amira@sickkids.ca
Mechanisms of endothelial permeability
Lee LabSt. Michael's Hospital
LKS, Room 613
Dr. Warren L. Lee
416-864-6060-77656 warren.lee@unityhealth.to
Investigating the pathophysiology of atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome caused by DGKE deficiency
Lemaire LabCell Biology Department
Peter Gilgan Centre For Research and Learning
SickKids Research Institute
686 Bay Street, room 19.9704
Dr. Mathieu Lemaire
416-813-7654 ext. 309419 mathieu.lemaire@sickkids.ca
Biological functions of glycosphingolipids
Lingwood LabRm 21-9707
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
The Hospital for Sick Children
686 Bay Street
Dr. Clifford A. Lingwood
416 813 5998 cling@sickkids.ca
Bacterial Toxin Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms & Drug Discovery
Melnyk LabDr. Roman A. Melnyk
416-813-7654 ext. 328557 roman.melnyk@sickkids.ca
Membrane Protein Structural Biology
Moraes LabMaRS Center, West Tower
661 University Ave., Rm 1613
Dr. Trevor F. Moraes
416-946-3048 trevor.moraes@utoronto.ca
Structural Studies of Virus Assembly
University of Toronto
MaRS Discovery Centre, West Tower
661 University Avenue
Dr. Michael Norris
416-946-7884 michael.norris@utoronto.ca
The structural determinants of protein function
Pai LabMSB, Room 5358
1 KIng's College Circle
Dr. Emil F. Pai
416-581-7545 pai@hera.med.utoronto.ca
Nuclear Export and Localization of mRNA
Palazzo LabMaRS, West Tower, Suite 1500
661 University Ave.
Dr. Alexander F. Palazzo
416-978-7234 alex.palazzo@utoronto.ca
Computational Studies of Biomolecular Structure and Function
Pomès LabPGCRL Room 21.9713
Hospital for Sick Children
686 Bay St
Dr. Régis Pomès
416-813-5686 pomes@sickkids.ca
Structural Biology of Protein Complexes
Privé LabRoom 4-803 PMCRT
101 College Street
Dr. Gil Privé
416-581-7541 prive@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Platelet function and dysfunction
Rand Lab; Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research LabDivision of Haematology/Oncology
Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Avenue
Dr. Margaret L. Rand
416-813-7764 margaret.rand@sickkids.ca
Structure and Function of Membrane Proteins
Reithmeier LabMedical Sciences Building, Room 5368
Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier
416-978-7739 r.reithmeier@utoronto.ca
Biochemistry and function of the Nedd4 family of ubiquitin ligases
Rotin's labPGCRL, 19-9715,
686 Bay Street
Dr. Daniela Rotin
416-813-5098 drotin@sickkids.ca
Electron Cryomicroscopy of Macromolecular Machines
The Rubinstein LaboratoryRm. 20-9705
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
The Hospital for Sick Children
686 Bay Street, Toronto
Dr. John L. Rubinstein
416-813-7255 john.rubinstein@utoronto.ca
Interactome networks of integral membrane proteins and their roles in health & disease
The Stagljar LabDonnelly Centre
160 College Street
Dr. Igor Stagljar
1 416 946 7828 igor.stagljar@utoronto.ca
Membrane and Cytoskeleton Interaction
Trimble LabSickKids Research Institute
PGCRL Rm 199716
686 Bay Street
Dr. William S. Trimble
416-813-6889 wtrimble@sickkids.ca
Cell Division in Tumor Formation and Oogenesis
Wilde Lab661 University Ave
MaRS West Tower
Rm 1516
Dr. Andrew Wilde
416 946 7714 andrew.wilde@utoronto.ca
Fundamental Mechanisms of Molecular Self-Assembly
Yip Lab404 - 160 College St
Dr. Christopher M. Yip
416-978-7853 christopher.yip@utoronto.ca