PROJECT SUMMARY
The 2024 Gordon Research Conference on Membrane Transporters titled “New Insights into Structure,
Function, and Regulation of Critical Membrane Transport Proteins in Health and Disease” will bring an urgently
needed translational focus to research on clinically relevant and highly druggable membrane transporters.
Although they account for 10% of the human genome and are critical proteins involved in both highly prevalent
(autism, depression, diabetes), as well as orphan and rare diseases (Christianson syndrome, mucoviscidosis
and Episodic Ataxia), recent data indicate that membrane transporters represent potential therapeutic targets.
The goal in organizing this conference is to link molecular and mechanistic insights on clinically important
membrane transporters expressed in different tissues, including carriers, ion channels, and pumps, to
physiological function and disease-related dysfunction. The intent is to offer and discuss opportunities for the
development of pharmacotherapies targeting transporter dysfunctions in disease states. The program will
include talks from both established and early-career researchers and there are speaking slots reserved for
students and postdoctoral researchers that will be selected from submitted the abstracts. Nine highly
interdisciplinary scientific sessions are bringing together topics, approaches and novel ideas that are not
conventionally related. These range from genetics of transporter and ion channels in disease states, to
unconventional animal models to study transporters, or approaches such as single-molecule fluorescence
resonance energy transfer and transcranial magnetic stimulation. This prevents the perception of a single
approach or topic dominating the conference and amplifies opportunities for discussion of new ideas. New
topics have been introduced (e.g., lipid transporters, plant, microbe and pathogen transporters, transporter
dysfunction in metabolism and obesity, as well as new perspectives from Pharma and Industry). Ample
discussion time after each talk, daily posters, and afternoon free time allow for informal discussion, networking
and forming new collaborations. In addition, a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Membrane Transport
Proteins will be held immediately prior to the conference. The GRS, organized by trainee scientists, will provide
an additional forum to highlight research, network with colleagues, as well as to discuss challenges of the early
career stages. We have invited a diverse group of speakers and will offer travel awards to underrepresented in
STEM scientists who apply to the meeting. Finally, we have secured Dr. Rajini Rao, Professor of Physiology at
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as the Discussion Leader for the GRC Power Hour. Dr. Rao has been a
strong advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and is
a well-respected mentor and advocate for trainees.