This Project Grant award of $803,808.00 from the National Science Foundation's Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) will support research at New York University (NYU) to investigate the evolution of membrane protein transporters. The specific objectives are to determine how mutations impact the dynamics, conformational equilibria, and transport directionality of these proteins, providing insight into membrane protein biogenesis. The research will involve training students and postdoctoral associates in biochemistry and biophysical chemistry, as well as the development of a graduate-level course on advanced techniques. The overarching goal is to advance the fundamental understanding of membrane protein evolution and contribute to the design of artificial cells with tailored functions. The project will utilize a flow cytometry-based high-throughput screening method and 19F NMR spectroscopy to correlate protein function with free energy changes. Additionally, the research will test theories about the evolution of ion-coupled transport mechanisms through directed evolution experiments and bioinformatics analysis. This project is expected to be completed by January 31, 2028.
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