Major human diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders have a wide-ranging impact on modern society and cause immeasurable costs. Many of these diseases are related to or are based on the dysfunction of membrane transporters and channels.

Transporters are integral membrane proteins that move important substances such as nutrients (e.g. amino acids, sugars, vitamins, trace minerals), drugs and other substrates across cellular membranes. Because of their important function as cellular gatekeepers, controlling access of small molecules inside cells and organelles, membrane transporters are of fundamental significance for the development of novel therapeutic drugs.

Transporters and channels can be used as drug targets themselves, as drug delivery systems, as modulators of the cell‘s sensitivity towards drugs and/or as modulators of the metabolism of drugs.

The NCCR TransCure aims at fostering high quality basic science in the field of membrane biology and developing innovative therapeutic measures. Novel drugs targeting dysfunctional transport proteins should be developed that can contribute to the cure of associated diseases.