A detailed understanding of the molecular structure of transport proteins, as well as their cellular function and localization in the healthy and diseased state is of utmost importance to turn the "gene to drug" approach into a full success. The NCCR TransCure plans to proceed as follows:

(click to enlarge)

• Screening of literature data and use of bioinformatics approaches to identify therapeutically promising transporters and channels.

• Investigation of their (sub)cellular localization and patho(physiological) function: e.g. expression analysis in patient tissue samples and cell cultures, association with markers of disease, overexpression/knockdown studies in cell cultures. 

• Elucidation of the molecular structure of the substrate binding site of transport proteins.

• Literature based and bioinformatics supported identification of potential small molecule ligands targeting transport proteins of interest (activators/inhibitors).

• Establishment of cellular transport assays allowing the screening of ligands for their impact on the function of transport proteins. 

• Optimization of potency, selectivity and pharmacology of most promising ligands in cell culture and animal models.

• Establishment of partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry to bring the drug on the market.

Contact:

Martin Weisstanner

University of Bern
Institut für Biochemie und Molekulare Medizin
Bühlstrasse 28
3012 Bern

Tel: +41 31 631 82 41
martin.weisstanner(at)ibmm.unibe.ch