Membrane transporters are kinetically demanding drug targets because their performance is relatively inefficient when compared to enzymes or GPCRs. In order to screen hundreds or even thousands of small organic compounds as potential inhibitors or allosteric modulators suitable assays need to be developed to both assess binding interactions and functional effects.

We aim to establish validated medium-throughput assays in order to screen for modulators of vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs), monoamine transporters (VMATs), vitamin C transporters (SVCT1 and 2), and related SLC23 transporters.

Furthermore, we will perform a screening of modulators of the divalent metal ion transporters with focus on natural products, including dietary natural products, as potential modulators. Suitable assays will be developed to study lipid transport (cholesterol and endocannabinoids) as potential site for drug discovery.